Catholic Social Justice Lobby Celebrates House Passage of Lower Drug Costs Now Act

For Immediate Release: December 12, 2019
Contact: Lee Morrow, lmorrow@networklobby.org, 202-601-7871

Catholic Social Justice Lobby Celebrates House Passage of Lower Drug Costs Now Act
Sr. Simone: “By negotiating drug prices with Medicare and drastically reducing the prices of the most expensive medicines, we can fix this healthcare crisis.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), a comprehensive drug pricing reform bill that will provide meaningful relief to seniors from the cost of high drug prices while making investments in the community to boost the health of all. The Catholic Sisters and activists of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice strongly support this legislation and urge the Senate to act immediately to pass this bill. NETWORK issued the following statement:

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“Pope Francis says that to be faithful, the economy must serve people first, not wealthy corporations. But for decades, big pharma has gamed the system by putting profit over people. The very drugs they’re raising prices on were created with taxpayer dollars. Each and every day, people living in the United States must choose between paying their rent, buying food, or purchasing their medication. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act changes that. By negotiating drug prices with Medicare and drastically reducing the prices of the most expensive medicines, we can fix this healthcare crisis. Now we need the Senate to act.”

Anne Marie Bonds, Government Relations Associate for NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:

“The Lower Drug Costs Now Act is the clear path to reasonable drug prices and accessible community health for all. This legislation is the first step to ensure that people are protected. We must ensure that our nation puts its people, not profit, first. It is time for Congress to protect the people from pharmaceutical company greed and promote accessible and affordable health care for all.”

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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 46-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org