Coalition calls on legislators to support lowering prescription drug costs
Salisbury, Md. – The state of Maryland is launching a new campaign to get candidates running for state government to support legislation aimed at bringing down the cost of prescriptions.
The proposal would allow Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set payment limits for drug costs in the state that match the Maximum Fair Price, also known as MFP, for drugs negotiated by Medicare.
“We all suffer because our insurance companies pay so much for these drugs that it makes our health insurance premiums go higher. We all suffer from it,” The Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition President Vincent DeMarco said. “State and local governments are gouged by the drug corporations. The fact of the matter is, it does not have to happen that way.”
MHCFA officials said the MFP for every drug set by Medicare would also be the upper payment limit for purchases of that drug in Maryland, subject to final approval by Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), under the proposed legislation. Maryland is the first state in the country to have a PDAB.
DeMarco said having the costs in Maryland linked to the costs established by Medicare would eliminate the need for months of “redundant cost review and ultimately save Marylanders hundreds of millions of dollars per year.” Legislation to enact the proposal will be introduced in the General Assembly when it convenes in January.”
“Linking the costs in Maryland to the costs established by Medicare would eliminate the need for months of redundant cost review and ultimately save Marylanders hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Legislation to enact the proposal will be introduced in the General Assembly when it convenes in January,” MHCFA officials said in a statement.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D – Maryland) has been a vocal supporter of the proposed legislation.
“Congress gave Medicare the authority to cap the cost of prescription drugs as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, and we have seen tremendous savings since then,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland in a statement released by MHCFA. “The Maryland General Assembly now has the opportunity to build on that great progress and tie the cost of drugs purchased in Maryland to the prices set by Medicare. It’s a commonsense proposal that will benefit all Marylanders.”
The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition has sent letters to every candidate for the General Assembly and governor urging them to commit to supporting the legislation by September 30 and will launch a way of voters knowing which legislator candidates support the issue in October.
