Governor Testifies in Support of Legislation To Help New Hampshire Citizens Save on Prescription Drug Costs

Gov. John Lynch today urged lawmakers to support legislation that would allow the state to use its bargaining power to reduce prescription drug costs for New Hampshire residents without health insurance.

"Too many of our citizens are struggling to pay for the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy and to live full productive lives. Research has shown that among low-income individuals, 16 percent do not take their medications because of the cost,"Gov. Lynch said.

"New Hampshire state government is a big customer for prescription drug companies. Just as businesses do, we should take advantage of the bargaining power we have as a big customer,"Gov. Lynch said. "We should use our bargaining power as a state to directly negotiate with drug manufacturers to get lower prices for our citizens who need the help the most. That is what this legislation will allow us to do."

Gov. Lynch today testified in front of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on House Bill 704, and in front of the Senate Health and Human Services on Senate Bill 110, both establishing the New Hampshire Rx program.

The legislation would allow the state to provide prescription discount cards - with potential savings of 15 to 60 percent - for nearly 110,000 New Hampshire citizens, between the ages of 18 and 64 who lack health insurance and who earn less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level.

http://www.nh.gov/governor/news/022205drugs.htm