Kentucky lawmaker backs bill to cut drug prices, says Republicans are endangering Medicaid

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More than 270,000 senior citizens and disabled people in Kentucky could benefit from a bipartisan bill recently introduced by a Kentucky lawmaker.

Democratic Congressman Morgan McGarvey, KY-03, and Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis, FL-12, are sponsoring the Cutting Copays Act, which would cut prices for generic prescription drugs to $0 for more than 270,000 Kentucky seniors and people with disabilities.

The bill would eliminate all copays on generic drugs for people on the Medicare Part D's Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also known as Extra Help. More than 14 million Americans rely on the program.

"The cost of prescription drugs is out of control and far too often, Americans have to choose between paying for the medication they need and putting food on the table," McGarvey said in a news release Wednesday. "My bipartisan bill cuts the cost of these life-saving drugs for 14 million Americans, including over 270,000 Kentucky seniors and people with disabilities."

Bilirakis said inflation has hit people with fixed incomes the hardest.

"Research shows that we can improve health outcomes for our most vulnerable seniors by eliminating barriers to disease management and medication adherence," he said in the release.

CLICK HERE to read the full text of the Cutting Copays Act.

McGarvey: Republican Budget Harms Medicaid, Rural Hospitals

During a June 25 Budget Committee Hearing on Medicaid, McGarvey said proposed budget cuts could lead to the closure of 35 rural Kentucky hospitals and the loss of more than 20,000 jobs, according to a news release.

McGarvey cited figures from the Kentucky Hospital Association in making that claim.

The Kentucky lawmaker has continued to voice his opposition to the Republican budget, noting that more than 200,000 Louisville residents rely on Medicaid for health care coverage.

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