And at the witness table, the Homeland Security secretary, xavier becerra, getting ready to give testimony on the president s 2025 budget request. The priorities of the budget, focusing on Health Care Coverage in the United States, as well as Maternal Health and mortality, Mental Health and suicide in cancer research. Pecting the hearing to start shortly, we have the chair and the Ranking Member in their seats now. Again, senators hearing budget request from health and Human Services secretary xavier becerra. Today, we meet to discuss the year ahead for health care in america. Thank you, secretary becerra, for joining us. I will start off with a little bit of history. Topic one, drug prices. In july of 2020, donald trump said since the day i took office, i have made reducing drug prices one of my highest priorities. For four straight years, donald trump complained about high drug prices, did lots of finger pointing at others about the problem and repeatedly talked about how he was the
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
For joining us. I will start off with a little bit of history. Topic one, drug prices. In july of 2020, donald trump said since the day i took office, i have made reducing drug prices one of my highest priorities. For four straight years, donald trump complained about high drug prices, did lots of finger pointing at others about the problem and repeatedly talked about how he was the best friend of seniors best friend seniors who depend on medicare could have. What was actually accomplished over the last four years . Exactly nothing. Asked 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 committee is a place where things happen. And everybody has been talking about doing something about drug prices forever. Now is the time t
For joining us. I will start off with a little bit of history. Topic one, drug prices. In july of 2020, donald trump said since the day i took office, i have made reducing drug prices one of my highest priorities. For four straight years, donald trump complained about high drug prices, did lots of finger pointing at others about the problem and repeatedly talked about how he was the best friend of seniors best friend seniors who depend on medicare could have. What was actually accomplished over the last four years . Exactly nothing. Asked 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 committee is a place where things happen. And everybody has been talking about doing something about drug prices forever. Now is the time t