WMDT
September 18, 2023
Rob Flaks
Excerpt:
” During a prescription drug roundtable Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Health Care advocates and State lawmakers, looking to build on the momentum of the Inflation Reduction Act releasing a list of ten drugs that Medicare will be able to negotiate prices on.
Advocates from the AARP say the negotiations aren’t set to start until 2026, but just the announcement has already helped cut prices.
“I have a neurodegenerative disease that there’s no cure for, and over the past many years, it’s cost thousands and thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket money for prescriptions,” said AARP Advocate Larry Zarzecki adding “Since the announcement i’m saving under $1,000 a month right now through which is which is major for me, and a big difference for quality of life.”
Advocates say it shouldn’t be just Medicare that can negotiate, with the state’s Drug Affordability Board set to drop costs for state and local governments as they pay for these drugs this year.
The plan for that savings it set to be announced this fall.
“All across the state, local governments and state governments are being gouged by the prescription drug corporations, and the board is going to help prevent that from happening,” said Maryland HealthCare for All President Vinny DeMarco adding “Drugs do not work when people cannot afford to use them.”
Read the full article at Wmdt.com
Last modified: September 19, 2023
