WASHINGTON, DC—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to Senate passage of the bipartisan SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act:  

“Thanks to the efforts of thousands of AARP members, we successfully beat back PhRMA’s latest back room attempts to weaken the recent Medicare Part D doughnut hole improvements as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.

“We hear all the time from older Americans who are struggling to afford needed medications. Reversing the progress made under current law will increase prescription drug costs for older Americans while providing a windfall of billions of dollars to the drug industry. We urge Congress to reject any attempt to roll it back and to do more to lower drug costs.

“The Medicare Part D improvements that are now law as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 will save seniors billions of dollars in their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Rest assured, AARP and our 38 million members remain vigilant and will oppose any ongoing attempts by the pharmaceutical industry to roll back the progress that has been made to help lower drug costs for seniors.” 

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Greg Phillips, 202-434-2560, gphillips@aarp.org, @AARPMedia