AARP names Sen. Vitelli 2019 Rx Price Fighter
Sen. Vitelli introduced a new law to help lower the cost of prescription drugs in Maine
Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, has been recognized by AARP for her work fighting for Maine consumers and patients. Sen. Vitelli was named an Rx Price Fighter for championing a suite of laws to help lower the cost of prescription drugs.
“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized for my work this year to lower the cost of prescription medications for Mainers,” said Sen. Vitelli. “Reducing prescription drug costs was a focus in the Legislature this year. Lawmakers know that this is such a huge issue because so many of our constituents have told us their stories and asked us to act. We do this work on their behalf.”
In the U.S., one in four Americans struggles to pay for their prescription medication, while one in ten Americans does not take their medicine as prescribed to stay afloat. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, last year, retail prices for 267 brand name prescription drugs widely used by older adults increased by an average of 5.8 percent – more than double the rate of general inflation.
Sen. Vitelli sponsored LD 1162, “An Act To Further Expand Drug Price Transparency,” which expands on the success of a bill passed last year and requires drug companies to disclose how much they’re spending on prescription drugs and where that money is being spent.
LD 1162 was part of a suite of legislation aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs in Maine. The suite also included LD 1504, “An Act To Protect Consumers from Unfair Practices Related to Pharmacy Benefits Management,” from Sen. Heather Sanborn, D-Portland, which creates much-needed oversight for pharmacy benefit managers — corporations that act as middlemen between drug manufacturers and pharmacies; LD 1499, “An Act To Establish the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board,” from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, which establishes a state board to oversee the cost of prescription drugs in Maine; and LD 1272, “An Act To Increase Access to Low-cost Prescription Drugs,” also from Pres. Jackson, which would allow the wholesale importation of safe, less expensive drugs from Canada, with federal approval. All of those bills received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Maine Senate and were signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills. Pres. Jackson and Sen. Sanborn also were named Rx Price Fighters.
The Maine Legislature will reconvene in January for the second regular session of the 129th Legislature, where lawmakers will continue to work to lower the cost of prescription drugs and make health care more affordable for Maine people.
