MENENDEZ STATEMENT ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AGREEMENT

Press Release

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member on the Senate Finance committee that sets national health care policy, issued the following statement on the prescription drug agreement announced by Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as part of the ongoing reconciliation process:

"Throughout the ongoing negotiations to address the high cost of prescription drugs as part of the reconciliation package, I had one guiding principle -- ensuring that New Jerseyans and Americans all across the country finally see a meaningful reduction in the rising cost of drug prescriptions while protecting innovation on life-saving treatments.

"To that end, I have been working for months with Leader Schumer and Chairman Wyden to ensure the inclusion of an out-of-pocket cap and my smoothing proposal that will benefit Medicare seniors as will provisions to ensure negotiated drugs are available to patients. I believe the deal announced today will meet my goal and make a real difference in the life of every American, especially those who are forced to ration or skip their medication to save money. This is real progress and I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to get this over the finish line."

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