Congressman Gonzalez Votes to Lower Prescription Drug Prices with House Passage of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, and delivered on his promise to help bring down the cost of prescription drugs and level the playing field for American patients who are paying more for their medicines than patients in other countries.

This bill will:

• Give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies, and the lower prices negotiated by Medicare available to patients both in privateinsurance and Medicare;
• Set a maximum price for any negotiated drug with an international price index based on similar countries;
• Create a new $2000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs to protect Medicare beneficiaries;
• Reinvest savings to expand Medicare's benefits to include dental, vision, and hearing coverage;
• Bolsters funding for innovation and research to find new cures and treatments; and
• Help combat the opioid crisis

"Constituents in the 15th District of Texas face skyrocketing prescription drug prices every day, forcing many to choose between their medications and putting food on the table or meeting other basic needs," said Congressman Gonzalez. "That's unacceptable, and it's why this issue has been, and will continue to be, one of my top priorities. I was proud to vote for H.R. 3 today to deliver on that promise. I urge the Senate to take up, pass, and send H.R. 3 to the President's desk for his signature."

More information on H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act can be found here.

Facts regarding H.R. 3 and the 15th District of Texas that will lower medical costs

In the 15th District of Texas, there are 77,879 people enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan and 352,582 people enrolled in private health insurance – all of whom stand to benefit from H.R. 3. This includes those living with cancer, arthritis, asthma, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis are expected to experience significant savings as a result of H.R. 3:

Patients living with breast cancer: In 2019, an estimated 18,750 women in Texas will be diagnosed with breast cancer. H.R. 3 can lower the average total cost of the breast cancer medication Ibrance by 65% to $23,900 per year.

Patients living with leukemia: In 2019, an estimated 4,820 people in Texas will be diagnosed with leukemia. H.R. 3 can lower the average total cost of the leukemia medication Tasigna by 71% from $93,700 to $27,400 per year.

Patients living with prostate cancer: In 2019, an estimated 10,660 people in Texas will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. H.R. 3 can lower the average total cost of the prostate cancer medication Zytiga by 66% from $109,500 to $37,400 per year.

Patients with arthritis: 98% of Texas residents have arthritis, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most arthritis drugs from about $40,000 to $10,000 per year.

Patients with asthma: About 7.3% or 1,543,064 of Texas residents live with asthma, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most asthma medications from about $1,400 to $270 per year.

Patients with HIV/AIDS: In 2015, 4,358 Texas residents were diagnosed with HIV, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most HIV drugs from about $15,000 to $6,000 per year.

Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): One million people are living with MS in the United States, and H.R. 3 can lower their total costs on most MS drugs from about $40,000 to $13,000 per year.

In addition to lowering prescription drug prices, H.R. 3 also reinvests savings into expanding Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing services for constituents in the 15th District of Texas:

• About 95% of beneficiaries or 96,200 people stand to gain from adding a dental benefit.
• About 75% of beneficiaries or 75,400 people stand to gain from adding a vision benefit.
• About 89% of beneficiaries or 90,100 people stand to gain from adding a hearing benefit.