The House Oversight and Reform Committee will hold a hearing to examine drug price increases later this month, the committee’s first since Democrats took control of the House.
In a statement, Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings
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On Thursday, Cummings joined Sens. Cory Booker
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The three proposed bills would allow importation of cheaper drugs from Canada, allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and strip monopolies from drug companies if their prices were above the average price in other wealthy countries.
Drug prices have spiked over the past decade, putting a pinch on consumers as wages have failed to keep pace with the hikes. The drug pricing is a bipartisan concern, but the parties are divided on how best to solve the issue.
Democrats want Medicare to negotiate prices and want to allow Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from abroad, policies that are staunchly opposed by pharmaceutical companies.
Democratic lawmakers say Republicans were too easy on the industry when they controlled the House, and have vowed that will change now that they are in charge.
Source : https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/424803-drug-prices-to-take-center-stage-in-first-oversight-committee-hearing