House votes in favor of bills lowering costs for everyday Michiganders
LANSING, Mich., March 24, 2021— House Democrats voted in favor of legislation today that would curb the costs of prescription drugs for everyday Michiganders. The fourteen-bill package includes legislation to create transparency in the price-setting process for prescription medication, eliminate conflicts of interest in the pharmaceutical industry and cap the copay for insulin.
“Access to quality health care is one of the defining issues of our time and the urgency of this matter has only been highlighted further by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp). “Countless Michiganders, even those with health insurance, find medical care and prescription drugs out of reach due to excessive out-of-pocket costs. House Democrats are dedicated to righting this wrong and today was an important step on that journey.”
Last year, Gov. Whitmer created the Prescription Drug Task Force, which recently released their findings in a comprehensive report with recommendations to lower prescription drug costs and create more transparency in the health care industry. Many of the bills in the package passed today were based on the recommendations in that report.
“No one should ever have to go hungry just to afford life-saving medication, but for so many throughout our state, that is the disheartening reality they are living in,” said state Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Twp), a sponsor of the package. “Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed beyond reason in recent years and the people of Michigan demand solutions. I am pleased that my bill will add transparency to the price-setting process and hold bad actors accountable.”
All fourteen bills have been transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
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