Since January 28, 2002, when the first NRLN Board of Directors was elected, the NRLN has spoken out for the need to make prescription drugs more affordable. One of the NRLN's first Action Alerts asked NRLN Grassroots Network members to write to their U.S. Representatives to urge support for the Senate-passed Greater Access To Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2002.
The NRLN aggressively work on Capitol Hill to promote the passage of S. 2328, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2004 introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND). Although the bill did not pass, it had the right objective to allow for the importation of prescription drugs.
The bill continued to be introduced in subsequent sessions of Congress. On June 22, 2007, NRLN's Past President Jim Norby, sent letters to thank the U.S. House members who were sponsoring H.R. 380, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act of 2007. Jim pointed out in his letter that "Americans deserve to have the benefit of global competition in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, your proposed legislation would provide a structure for the FDA to ensure a high level of safety for prescription drug imports."
To this day, a major objective in the NRLN's Legislative Agenda is to gain passage of legislation for the importation of safe and lower-cost prescription drugs. We also continue to seek passage of a bill to force the negotiation of prices for Medicare prescription drugs.
Yesterday, January 28, Congressional Democrats introduced legislation (H.R. 684, S. 330) that would allow traditional Medicare to establish one or more plans to compete with private plans under the prescription drug benefit, CQ HealthBeat reports. In addition, the legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Reps. Marion Berry (D-Ark.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), would strengthen the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to appeal denials of coverage for medically necessary medications under all Medicare Part D plans. The legislation also would require the Health and Human Services Secretary to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for the prices of medications under Part D. We are now examining these companion bills and may be asking your support in sending messages to lobby for their passage by Congress. Stay tuned!
I can't say what the genesis was for President Obama's position to support the importation of safe prescription drugs and for the federal government to negotiate for lower drug prices for Medicare participants. I can say that in the NRLN's proposal made last May to the Democratic National Platform Committee there was this statement: "No American should be forced to choose between meals and medications. We support competitive bidding of prescription drugs, faster approval of generic drugs, and the safe importation of lower-cost drugs from other countries subject to approval by the FDA. "
The NRLN will be supporting President Obama's desire for cheaper prescription drugs and will be using our influence on Capitol Hill to gain the introduction of a bill. When the timing is right, we will engage our Grassroots Network to voice your support for more competition in the pharmaceutical industry.
In the meantime, help the NRLN grow its Grassroots Network by asking your friends to sign up at http://capwiz.com/abtr/mlm/signup/ . Also encourage them to become an Individual Contributing Member of the NRLN by going to www.nrln.org and clicking on the "Join Us" tab at the top of the website's home page.
Bill KadereitPresident, National Retiree Legislative Network
From: "NRLN President Bill Kadereit"
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