Lowey Continues Fight Against Soaring Prescription Drug Prices

Rep. Lowey talks with seniors aobut the need for prescription drug coverage under Medicare.

Congressmember, Nita Lowey (D–Rego Park) spoke out last week about skyrocketing prescription drug prices and urged Congress to enact a real prescription drug benefit for all seniors. Joined by 150 other House members, Lowey also released a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert demanding action on this issue before the end of the year.

"Too many seniors literally have to choose between purchasing needed medication and putting food on their tables. Queens seniors deserve better than this," Lowey said.

With seniors cheering them on, Lowey and her colleagues displayed thousands of pill bottles, prescription bills, and letters sent to Washington by seniors facing rising drug prices. According to Families USA, a non-partisan, non-profit health care policy group, average drug expenses per senior have grown 116 percent since 1992, and costs are likely to climb another 165 percent in the next decade.

That’s why Lowey is fighting to enact a voluntary, universal prescription drug benefit under Medicare. She supports a plan that would allow all seniors—regardless of their health status or where they live—to choose a prescription drug benefit in addition to their current Medicare benefits. Under the plan, Medicare would pay 50 percent of all drug costs up to $5,000, and low-income beneficiaries would get extra assistance. Medicare would also cover 100 percent of all out-of-pocket expenses over $4,000. Premiums for this option will start at $26, rising to $51 once all benefits are fully phased in.

"While Queens seniors clamor for stable, affordable prescription drug coverage, Republicans are pushing a bill that favors HMOs and drug companies at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens. Our parents and grandparents need meaningful, affordable prescription drug coverage, and they need it now," Lowey said.

Despite the growing visibility of this issue, the House leadership has not yet allowed a vote on the prescription drug plan Lowey supports. In her letter to Hastert, Lowey voiced her concern that Congress would adjourn for the year without having made progress on the issue of rising drug prices.

"With only days remaining in this legislative session, our seniors’ health and safety should be foremost in our minds. New Yorkers can count on me to keep fighting to enact a plan that puts seniors first," Lowey said.