By Bethany Raja

October 7, 2022

WYPR News

Excerpt: U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, who represents the third congressional district in Maryland, said the federal Reduction Act will cap out of pocket drug spending at $2,000 a year in 2025 for Medicare recipients.

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott said the high cost of prescription drugs present a serious barrier to care for vulnerable communities. “Far too often, our residents, especially our older adults are forced to choose between life saving medications and other necessities like rent or groceries. This is unacceptable anywhere, especially in the wealthiest country in the history of the world,” he said. Scott said that drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them.

Maryland was the first state in the nation to establish the Maryland Board of Prescription Affordability.

The federal legislation will cap out-of-pocket monthly spending on insulin at $35 a month for Medicare recipients, make all vaccines free, and give the Medicare program the ability to negotiate prices of certain higher cost medications.

Read the full article at WYPR News

Last modified: October 11, 2022