Meuser Statement on Democrats Putting Politics Before Lowering Drug Costs

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Meuser (PA-09) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 987, which poisoned bipartisan bills to lower drug costs with partisan bills to bail out Obamacare:

"Once again, Democratic Leadership is putting politics over bipartisan policy. By taking desperately needed, sensible drug pricing policies and bogging them down with failed, ineffective Obamacare provisions, Democrats are blocking an opportunity to lower prescription drug costs for American patients and their families.

Jammed into H.R. 987 are drug pricing provisions that I support: banning predatory practices used by branded drug makers to prevent generics from getting to market, prohibiting pay-for-delay agreements, and limiting first-approved generic makers' ability to stall a rival's launch. These are practical, effective policies that would result in real relief for patients across the country. Instead of advancing these bipartisan policies, Democratic Leadership chose to torpedo this bill by adding partisan provisions to dredge up Obamacare programs that we have seen fail: $200 million a year in taxpayer funding for states to establish Obamacare marketplaces. $100 million a year to fund the Navigator program that, in plan year 2017, accounted for fewer than one percent of total enrollees.

Americans need relief from soaring drug prices and access to lifesaving drugs, not a resurgence of Obamacare. I am disappointed that I could not support this legislation, and I hope my Democratic colleagues will take up Energy and Commerce Republican's alternative bill that includes all of H.R. 987's bipartisan drug pricing provisions, and none of the partisan proposals."