Murray Slams GOP Bill to Undo Drug Price Negotiation, Let Costs Continue to Skyrocket, and Protect Pharmaceutical Company Profits

Murray: “If you thought Republicans were done trying to repeal overwhelmingly popular health care policies that bring down costs—think again… Republicans’ health care proposals are the same as ever—higher costs for patients.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement in response to Republican Senators’ new bill that would repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic Medicare prescription drug negotiation policy.

“If you thought Republicans were done trying to repeal overwhelmingly popular health care policies that bring down costs—think again. Senate Republicans introduced legislation to repeal Medicare’s ability to negotiate prescription drug prices and take away one of the strongest tools Democrats passed to fight skyrocketing drug costs and force drug companies to the bargaining table. This bill makes clear Republicans’ health care proposals are the same as ever—higher costs for patients.

“People in Washington state and across the country want us to put patients over profits—and I’ve heard from so many seniors how relieved they were that Democrats gave Medicare new power to negotiate prices and take on out-of-control drug costs as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a huge reform that is going to save so many seniors so much money—but not if these Senate Republicans have their way.”

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