AARP Connecticut Calls on Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Today, AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan joined dozens of AARP state directors and volunteers from across the country in Washington, D.C., to urge federal lawmakers to pass legislation to lower prescription drug prices.

“While AARP Connecticut will continue to fight for necessary changes on the state level, drug costs are also a national issue, and federal action is equally essential,” said Duncan. “The average annual cost of prescription drug treatment increased 57.8% between 2012 and 2017, while the annual income for Connecticut residents only increased 12.2%. Americans depend on their prescriptions, but drug companies’ skyrocketing prices are pushing life-saving treatments out of reach for those who need them.”

Leaders from 33 AARP state offices met with lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, urging their vote for federal legislation to lower drug prices. AARP has said four principles need to be included in any bill: a cap on out-of-pocket costs for seniors, a crackdown on drug prices and price increases, an increase in competition, and greater transparency.

Duncan added, “Today, we called on senators and members of Congress to enact popular, bipartisan, commonsense solutions to lower prescription drug prices, the root cause of the problem. While the drug companies make billions in profits, 40% of older Americans are worried that they will have to choose between buying food and buying medication.”

In the Constitution State, AARP Connecticut is pursuing a range of state legislative and policy reforms to address the high price of prescription drugs. During the 2019 legislative session, several piece of good legislation aimed at controlling or reducing prescription medication prices failed to pass in Connecticut this year. Meanwhile, the National Academy for State Health Policy reports that, so far this year, 25 states passed 37 new laws aimed at lowering prices for prescription medications.

AARP Connecticut has heard of the concerns about the high cost of prescription drugs from tens of thousands of residents of all ages at events throughout the state and online.

As part of a multifaceted approach to shine a light on the impact of drug prices and the need to end the greed, AARP Connecticut will host free Happy Hour events at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m. (register at: https://aarp.cvent.com/BeardsleyRx) and Epicure Brewery on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. (https://aarp.cvent.com/EpicureRx). Anyone 21 or older can attend the free, interactive Happy Hours for complimentary drinks and appetizers while they can hear more about the impact of high drug price.

To learn more about AARP’s state and federal efforts to lower prescription drug prices, visit www.aarp.org/rx.