(WBRE/WYOU-TV) In Washington D.C. Thursday the U.S. Senate had drug makers in the hot seat – demanding to know why drug prices continue to go up.
Among those asking the questions – Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey – who sits on the Senate aging committee.
Eyewitness News Washington D.C. correspondent Morgan Wright has the details
Barbara Cisek says her medication is just not affordable. The costs of prescription drugs are financially crippling Americans. And Cisek is one of them.
She spends nearly $1500 a month on medications. “I have a lot of things that insurance has stopped covering. I take a brand name Nexium, I’ve been on everything there is for my stomach. My copay for 3 months is $90. That’s one prescription” Said Cisek.
Like many Americans, her insurance doesn’t cover enough of the rising costs of prescriptions. “Some are tapping into their retirement funds or refinancing their homes or working multiple jobs or living in endless uncertainty or anxiety,” Said Senator Susan Collins of Maine. She wants relief for older Americans.
The hardships Americans are facing to pay for prescription drugs have urged lawmakers to take bipartisan action to lower costs.
Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania introduced two bills that would add transparency and affordability. “30 million people have incomes of $26,000 or less so they are heavily depended on Medicare. But often they’re the ones most adversely impacted by the costs of prescription drugs”.
He wants prescription costs made public, and help for those who qualify for assistance
“People have a sense of urgency about this issue that I have never seen and people in both parties need to recognize that.”
Senator Casey hopes the trump administration will help the effort to make prescriptions more affordable.
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