Press Releases

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement regarding his desire to lower prescription drug costs: 

“Lowering the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, families, and patients across West Michigan should be a bipartisan endeavor. Instead, the Speaker and the Democrat majority chose not to work with Republicans and ram through a very partisan messaging bill that has no chance of becoming law. In reality, H.R. 3 is a sweeping expansion of government control over patients’ health care. This misguided legislation will result in less medical innovation, fewer cures, and less access to both life-saving treatments as well as prescription medications that enhance our overall quality of life.

“In order to deliver results for West Michigan and communities across the nation, Congress must strike a bipartisan approach. That is why I voted in favor and continue to support the Lower Costs, More Cures Act. This legislation includes more than 40 provisions that have garnered bipartisan support. With the Trump Administration showing a desire to lower the cost of health care as well as the cost of prescription drugs, Congress must rise to the occasion. The Lower Costs, More Cure Acts can deliver cost savings for West Michigan, increase transparency and accountability, and maintain our innovative edge that is crucial to discovering new cures and developing new treatments.”

Background:

H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, uses bipartisan reforms to lower out of pocket spending, protect access to new medicines and cures, strengthen transparency, and champion competition. Congressman Huizenga is a cosponsor of this important health care legislation. Here are some examples of how the Lower Costs, More Cures Act would impact the status quo and enact positive change for patients.

• Encourages innovation of groundbreaking new cures, promotes more low-cost options for patients, and curbs the gaming of the system by drug companies.

• For the first time ever, places a cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs and allow seniors to manage their annual out-of-pocket spending.

• Makes insulin more affordable.

• Increases transparency and removes uncertainty at the pharmacy counter.

• Cuts the cost of drug administration, including cancer treatment, for Medicare beneficiaries by as much as half.

• Stops subsidizing other developed countries health care through stronger trade agreement with real enforcement