The committee will come to order. Wildfires are an increasing threat to our country. They have burned more land and put more communities in danger. Last year alone, wildfires ch affected americans from hawaii to the great smoky mountains. This year, it is likely to get worse. As we sit communities in texas just finished fighting the largest wildfire in the history of that state. It burned almost 1. 4 million acres of land, taking lives, damaging houses, devastating di families, leaving property across the Northern Edge of the state in ruin. The last wildfire in maui was absolutely catastrophic. It took the lives of over 100 people and shouter countless communities. It was the deadliest wildfire in our country in over a century. The council of native american advancement and the mayor of the county has submitted testimony regarding the ongoing record with no objection. These are just a few of the examples of a new crisis, one that is putting even more americans at risk. The effects of t
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
State and impact of wildfires. They discuss wildfire risks as well as evacuation preparedness. ■ the committee will come to order. Wildfires are an increasing threat to ou threat to ou wildfires are affecting more americans. This year theyre likely to get worse. As we communities in texas just recently finished fighting the largest wildfire in the history of this state. It burned alst acres of land, taking lives, damaging houses, devastati agriculture, displacing families and leaving property across the Northern Edge of the state in ruins. The fire in maui was absolutely catastrophic and even more deadly. It took the lives of over 100 people and shattered communities. It was the deadliest wildfire in in over a century. A mayor of maui county has submitted written testimony regarding the ongoing Recovery Efforts in maui and i move to have them entered into the hearing record without objection. From malley and we offer them into the hearing record with no objection. These are just a fe