(Washington, DC): – Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) has signed a discharge petition to force the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives to bring HR 376 to the House floor, a bill that would grant Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prescription drug prices for seniors and people with disabilities. In the following statement, McNulty reiterated his support for this legislation:

“Unfortunately, the abysmal Medicare drug law that Congress passed in 2003 did nothing to actually bring down the costs of prescription drugs. In fact, thanks to the lobbying efforts of the big drug companies, the so-called “reform” law actually prohibited Medicare from negotiating for lower prices. We must stand up for seniors and people with disabilities by reversing this provision and give Medicare the ability to negotiate the lowest possible prices for its 44 million beneficiaries.

“Medicare is the only entity in this country that cannot bargain for lower drug prices. The states, Fortune 500 companies, large pharmacy chains, and the VA all use the huge number of participants in their programs as bargaining clout to obtain lower drug prices – Medicare should have the same ability.

“It is a disgrace that so many seniors and people with disabilities in the Capital Region and across the country have to choose between buying the medications their doctors have prescribed and buying their groceries. Many are forced to disregard instructions of their own physician by taking their pills less often than they should.

“The bill to give Medicare the right to bargain as a single entity is called the Medicare's Equitable Drugs for Seniors Act of 2005, HR 376, and I am proud to be a cosponsor. Introduced by GOP Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri, HR 376 has bipartisan support. It is outrageous that the Republican Leadership continues to block the bill from coming to the floor.

“It is only by enacting this legislation that we will begin to bring down drug prices and make them truly affordable for seniors and people with disabilities whose lives depend on it.”

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