Legislation will help bring down the cost of high-cost drugs for all Marylander
For Immediate Release: February 21, 2025
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition congratulated the Maryland House of Delegates for passing critically important legislation to expand the authority of the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Board now has the authority to limit high drug costs for state and local governments, but not yet for most average Marylanders.
“We thank the House for overwhelmingly approving this important bill. When fully enacted, it will give the Board the authority to continue its great work and bring down costs for all Marylanders,” said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Coalition. “It’s time to act to make drugs more affordable for all. Big drug corporations are making enormous profits and spending lavishly on advertising, even as many people struggle to pay for the prescriptions they need to live healthy lives. This bill will help fix that, and we urge the Senate to approve the bill and for Governor Moore to sign it.”
The legislation, HB 424, is sponsored by Delegates Bonnie Cullison and Jennifer White Holland. A companion bill, SB 357, sponsored by Senators Dawn Gile and Brian Feldman. The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board was the first of its kind when created by the General Assembly in 2019; today, several other states have followed Maryland’s lead. We thank Governor Wes Moore for his leadership on this issue and we thank the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange for providing testimony in support of the legislation.
Last modified: February 21, 2025
