AUGUSTA – Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, testified earlier this week in favor of the Making Health Care Work for Maine bill package at a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
The suite of bills put forward by Maine Senate Democrats targets outrageous health care spending, unsupported and extreme prescription drug price increases and drug price transparency.
“Every day I hear from people in Waldo County who are making terrible, tough decisions to either pay the bills or afford their prescription drugs. In fact, the cost of medication is 256 percent higher in the U.S. than in at least 23 other countries,” said Sen. Curry. “All across Maine, working families are struggling to get by. Enough is enough. We know that the system isn’t working, and it’s time to fix it.”
Some of the prescription drug measures Evers is proposing were included in the Democratic governor s 2019-2021 budget, but ended up being pulled by state Republicans. Back in the upcoming budget will be removing prescription copays from the state s Medicaid program, BadgerCare, and creating a state program to reduce the costs of prescription drugs while importing low-cost replacement options.
Evers latest proposal largely follows recommendations made last fall by the the Governor s Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices. The task force submitted a report detailing several policy ideas aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs, expanding access to medications for residents and increasing transparency in the supply chain.
Governor’s 2021-23 biennial budget to include comprehensive package to address soaring prescription drug prices By Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 3rd, 2021 07:15 am
MADISON Gov.
Tony Evers today announced his 2021-23 biennial budget proposal will include a number of critical provisions to lower prescription drug prices and control costs, increase transparency and protect consumers, and ensure access to live-saving medications for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable individuals.
“No Wisconsinite should have to choose between paying their bills and affording their prescription medication,” said Gov. Evers. “Picking up your prescription shouldn’t break the bank, but we know too many Wisconsinites continue to struggle to afford their medications. That’s just not right. Healthcare medications or otherwise shouldn’t be a privilege afforded only to the healthy and wealthy, and that’s why we are going to be tackling this issue head-on in our budget.”
Would limit copayments on insulin and import drugs from countries where they cost less. //end headline wrapper ?>Get a daily rundown of the top stories on Urban Milwaukee
Endocrinologist Dr. Dawn Davis recommended those with diabetes to look into getting a 30-day or 90-day refill of their insulin while preparing to social distance to limit their exposure to the novel coronavirus. Bram Sable-Smith/Wisconsin Watch
One of the biggest health issues Wisconsin lawmakers faced before the coronavirus pandemic was high drug prices, and on Wednesday, Gov.
Tony Evers announced a plan to lower medication costs for the state and consumers.