ICYMI: President signs pharmacy bill pushed by Rep. Carter
Friends,

Earlier this week I joined President Trump as he signed my proposal to ban "gag clause" provisions into law. Yesterday, I spoke with the Savannah Morning News about how important this legislation is to ensure patients have access to the best and lowest cost options when medication is needed. In case you missed it, click here to read the article. 

As always, thank you for the honor to serve. 

- Buddy


President signs pharmacy bill pushed by Rep. Carter
By: DeAnn Komanecky
October 11, 2018

Paying for your prescriptions might be a bit cheaper soon thanks to legislation championed by U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter, R-1.

The legislation removing what is known as the “gag clause,” was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Carter has worked on the legislation for a quite a while, he said.

“It’s been a long process.”

The gag clause allowed pharmacy benefit managers to prohibit pharmacists from letting patients know their medication could be cheaper by not using their insurance. If pharmacists violated the gag clause rule in their contracts with the insurer, the pharmacist could be kicked out of the network, Carter said.

Carter, the only pharmacist in Congress, said getting rid of the gag clause is great news.

“It is a great day for patients,” said Carter. “I know firsthand how important it is for pharmacists to have the ability to work with patients to figure out what is in their best interest. Banning “gag clauses” will help ensure that is possible by allowing pharmacists to help patients access the lowest cost options.”

Carter said the legislation was a bi-partisan effort with Michigan’s Democratic senator, Debbie Stabenow, sponsoring the bill, S. 2553, Know the Lowest Price Act. S.2553 prohibits gag clause provisions in Medicare. A related bill, S. 2554, The Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act, prohibits gag clause provisions in group and individual health plans. S. 2554 was sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican.

“High drug costs impact everyone,” Carter said.

Carter said Sen. Stabenow has had personal experience in prescription price differences in and outside of insurance.

“This is an extreme example, but her husband is ill and his $1,300 prescription cost through insurance was only $40 if she paid cash,” Carter said. “There is no legitimate reason for that to happen, but it does.”

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar had high praise for Georgia’s Representative during a call-in to a radio show, WTKS, on Thursday.

In part, he said, “Buddy Carter was a real champion of this, he’s been the one calling attention to this outrage that was happening and so much of the credit goes to him as well as the president for taking this up. What it is – these insurance companies were telling pharmacists that they couldn’t tell their patients that they could get their drug for cheaper, just by paying out of pocket than using their insurance. Now that’s outlawed. Now those gag clauses can’t be used and you can ask your pharmacist – could I pay less and that’s thanks to the president and bipartisan actions of Congress.”

President Trump also thanked Carter during the bill’s signing.

″...Somebody that’s really worked hard, I’ve heard this for a long time, Representative Buddy Carter, really worked, thank you Buddy,” regarding the gag clause legislation.

Carter said removing the gag clause is just the beginning.

“This is just the start,” Carter said. “We are going to be working with the president to bring down prescription drug costs.”

To view the article, click here.


 
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