You, secretary becerra, fojoining with a little bit of history. Topic one, drug prices. In july of 2020, donald trump said, since the day i toke office i have made reducing drug prices one of my highest priorities. For four straight years, donald trump complained about hh did r pointing at others about the problem, and repeatedly talked about how he was best friend seniors could depend on. What was actually accomplished over his four years . ■exactly nothing. Fastforward to the Biden Administration. Forward to the Biden Administration. From the time fastforward to the Biden Administration. From the time joe biden took office, he made it clear he was committed to lowering drug costs and Health Care Prices for families. I remember him having a conversation with me shortly after the election. He said the finance commiee is a place where things happen. And everybody has been talking about doing something about drug prices forever. Now is the time to get something done. And to actually he
Pharma. Big pharmas holy grail, what they cared abo prohibiting negotiation for a better deal on medicine. Look at wth going to court, trying to stop any negotiation. But we have it written in the law that there isation. On top of it, most americans have access to free vaccines. Osts for seniors were capped at 35 a month. As we said, when the government leads on these issues, particularly the showpiece of American Health care, medicare almost always the private sector copies it. We have seen Real Progress in the private sector as well. We want every buddy in america to get that pricing relief but we are making Real Progress. We also created price gouging penalties ■7qfor the rst time to hold big pharma accountable for high drug costs. Those are benefiting patients and taxpayers. Plenty more to it is essential that finally, after all of this debate, we get pharmacy manager or Pharmacy Benefit Management and congress can finish this crucial change thats going to help all of these wonde
All right, let me call this hearing of the budget to order. I want to thank my colleagues we start it 10 00 oclock today had a presentation to make. I thank you for indulging that. [inaudible] none on so let me first say good morning to our Committee Members present in a special welcome to our witness. Director young its always a pleasure to have you here before the committee. There is simply no better communicator o you. President biden is very lucky to have this you in this important the president is fond of saying, a budget is a statement of values. That message is especially salients biden and maga republicans offer starkly different visions of our countrys future. The one hand President Biden released a fiscally responsible budget that puts the middle class first, cuts the deficit by 3 trillion paves the way for a stronger, safer and more prosperous america. On the other hand to undo proGrowth Investments creating jobs, driving a Clean Energy Boom and lowering costs for households
Committee here from physicians and Mental Health advocates who raced to hold Physician Health accountable in space for rural health areas. As which was not represented initially in this way. The fact is, these americans are being ripped off by what the government in office has described as a Ghost Network. Not my language, but the language of the Government Accountability office. To me, but a Ghost Network is all about is essentially selling Health Coverage under false pretenses. Because, the providers that have been advertise are not picking up the phones. There are not taking patients. In any other business, if a product or service does not meet expectations, consumers get a refund. In my view, it is a contractor breach. Insurance Companies Sell their plans for thousands of dollars each month, while their product is unusable. Unusable due to a Ghost Network. I am going to work with all my colleagues on both sides, democratic and republican, to get real accountability for these patien
Committee here from physicians and Mental Health advocates who raced to hold Physician Health accountable in space for rural health areas. As which was not represented initially in this way. The fact is, these americans are being ripped off by what the government in office has described as a Ghost Network. Not my language, but the language of the Government Accountability office. To me, but a Ghost Network is all about is essentially selling Health Coverage under false pretenses. Because, the providers that have been advertise are not picking up the phones. There are not taking patients. In any other business, if a product or service does not meet expectations, consumers get a refund. In my view, it is a contractor breach. Insurance Companies Sell their plans for thousands of dollars each month, while their product is unusable. Unusable due to a Ghost Network. I am going to work with all my colleagues on both sides, democratic and republican, to get real accountability for these patien