WASHINGTON—As members of Congress return to their districts for recess, AARP is kicking off a new phase of its Fair Drug Prices Now campaign and pushing lawmakers to advance the prescription drug pricing provisions, including allowing Medicare to negotiate, already passed by the House, as a top priority when they return.  AARP is investing more than $4.5 million in the next month, which includes advertising in DC and states across the country, as well as a major push by AARP’s grassroots advocates to call and email their members of Congress. Television and digital ads will run April 11 through May 9, urging Congress to “Stop the Big Pharma Scam” and let Medicare negotiate drug prices.

“Congress has promised for years that they would address the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “Our members will be out in force over the coming weeks to tell their Senators that this is the time for action! Seniors are sick and tired of paying the highest prices in the world for their medications, and they are demanding change.”

AARP state offices are also delivering petitions signed by more than four million Americans to their senators, urging action to enact Medicare negotiation and lower prescription drug prices. Petitions have been virtually delivered to senators in more than a dozen states, including Delaware, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with more deliveries planned in the coming weeks.

AARP has called for lower drug prices for years and supports legislation that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, put a cap on out-of-pocket costs that older adults pay for their prescription drugs and impose penalties on drug companies that raise prices faster than the rate of inflation. Recent polling confirms that lowering prescription drug prices is the number one health issue Americans want Congress to tackle this year.

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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, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.