MATSUI UNVEILS BIPARTISAN BILL TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR SENIORS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) introduced the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act, bipartisan legislation to expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to more affordable prescription drugs.

 

Too often, insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are using pricing gimmicks to steer patients towards higher-cost drugs that increase the PBM’s revenue. The bill would require Medicare Part D plans to place certain lower-cost generic drugs and biosimilars on more affordable formulary tiers than their higher-cost brand-name counterparts, and prevent plans from putting added roadblocks in the way of patients trying to use lower-cost options.

 

“For too many seniors, prescription drugs are far too expensive, even when more affordable options exist,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Medicare patients should not be pushed toward a brand-name drug that costs more when a safe, effective and less expensive alternative is available. This bill is a commonsense step to help lower drug costs and put power back in the hands of patients and providers, not big insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers.”

 

“America’s seniors should never be forced to pay more for their prescriptions when lower-cost options are available. Generics and biosimilars save billions, yet too often seniors are steered toward higher-priced drugs that benefit middlemen, not patients,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “This bipartisan bill puts seniors first by lowering out-of-pocket costs and ensuring they can access the affordable medications they deserve.”

 

“One part of the biotech social contract is ensuring that brand drugs go generic without undue delay,” said Congressman Auchincloss. “This bill strengthens that mechanism by ensuring generics and biosimilars get the formulary placement that drives down both co-pays and premiums.” 

 

Prescription drug costs remain a major burden for families and seniors living on fixed incomes. While generics and biosimilars often offer lower-cost alternatives to brand-name drugs, manyMedicare Part D plans still do not place those products on the most affordable tiers. In some cases, patients face added hurdles like prior authorization or step therapy that make it harder to access lower-cost treatment options.

 

The Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act would help change that by requiring Medicare Part D plans that cover these lower-cost products to place them in a preferred position relative to the higher-cost reference drug or biologic, when they are cheaper. The bill ensures that when a lower-cost medicine is available, seniors can actually get it at a lower cost.

 

This bill is endorsed by the Association for Accessible Medicines.

 

Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

 

Congresswoman Matsui has long fought to lower health care and prescription drug costs for seniors and families. From helping pass and strengthen the Affordable Care Act to supporting Medicare drug price negotiation and protecting the 340B drug pricing program, she has worked to expand access to affordable care and keep patients from being priced out of the medicines they need.