“The House of Representatives took a vitally important step to address a growing national crisis that is harming the health and ending the lives of too many people in America by passing the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act today. MomsRising members tell us every day that they, family members, or friends are rationing or going without lifesaving medications because they cannot afford to pay for them, and they want solutions. We commend every representative who voted for H.R. 3 today and applaud the House leaders who prioritized its passage.

“The price-gouging by drug corporations that is pushing prescription medication prices out of reach for millions of people must end. We now need the U.S. Senate to fast-track this bill, which would save lives by giving Medicare the power to negotiate costs directly with drug companies and by making the prices negotiated by Medicare available to all of us – even those with private health insurance. It would prevent drug companies from ripping us off while charging much less to people in other countries. And it would create a new $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for those on Medicare.

“Every day the U.S. Senate fails to act, more people go without the medicine they need. This bill must not become another casualty of Mitch McConnell’s inaction, or another captive of his shameful legislative graveyard. It’s past time Congress outlaw the price-gouging by pharmaceutical companies, which is costing lives. Our health matters more than corporate greed. Lives depend on what Senator McConnell does next.”