En español | WASHINGTON — AARP released the following statement on President Trump’s new executive order to promote greater transparency by hospitals, insurers, and other providers through disclosure of more information about health care costs. Today’s order follows his administration’s previous rule on pharmaceutical prices. The statement is from AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond:

“On behalf of our 38 million members, we appreciate the president’s efforts to bring more transparency to health care costs for consumers. AARP has been calling for policies that create greater transparency as one of several measures needed to help lower prescription drug and other health care prices. We stand with the president, Congress, and the states as they work to lower health care costs – especially high drug prices, which disproportionately hurt older Americans.

“Today’s executive order builds on the Trump administration’s May 8^th drug price transparency rule to compel pharmaceutical companies to disclose the list price for prescription drugs in TV ads. We look forward to that rule taking effect in early July. It is imperative that the Transparency Rule not be derailed by pharmaceutical companies that have sued to keep their prices secret.

“AARP urges Congress and the administration to work together to bring down costs, especially drug prices. We support allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of millions of Medicare beneficiaries; reducing the length of market exclusivity for high-priced biologic drugs; prohibiting pay-for-delay deals; and bringing lower priced generic drugs to market more quickly. So far, in 2019, we have also endorsed and worked to pass 26 new laws across 17 states to help lower drug prices, including state efforts to allow for the safe importation of lower-priced drugs into the U.S. AARP is ready and willing to work with members of Congress, the administration, and state governors and lawmakers to stop Rx greed.”

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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.

Media Contact: Greg Phillips, 202-434-2560, gphillips@aarp.org, @AARPmedia