ATR and COGC urges Opposition to a Bill that will Increase Prescription Drug Costs in Pennsylvania

ATR and COGC sent a letter to Pennsylvania Senate President Scarnati urging opposition to a bill that will restrict choice and raise costs for consumers of presciption drugs in Pennsylvania.

On behalf of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) and our membership throughout Pennsylvania, I write to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 201 and House Bill 511, legislation that would increase health care costs for Pennsylvanians by allowing the state to intervene in free market insurance practices. These bills are a thinly veiled regulatory scheme that gives government the ability to favor one sector of an industry over another, ultimately increasing costs for consumers.

The bills effectively hit already overburdened Keystone State taxpayers twice; by increasing individual health care costs while also swelling the costs of government health programs. Any lawmaker concerned about the fiscal health of the state cannot seriously consider such an onerous burden on its citizens, especially at such an economically fragile time.
The legislation proscribes instead of encourages prudent decisions in health care. Individuals would not be allowed to pursue cost savings by choosing to receive prescriptions from a mail order pharmacy over a potentially more expensive retail pharmacy. This price-fixing will unnecessarily drive up prescription costs for patients.

SB 201 and HB 511also prohibit these cost savings for state health care programs, putting more pressure on the commonwealth’s budget. It is nonsensical that lawmakers would eliminate smart ways to streamline health care spending at a time when health care costs are skyrocketing in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

These bills represent a step backward in health care reform and innovation. While the market has responded to the needs of consumers by offering new ways to supply prescription drugs, this legislation would prevent Pennsylvanians from benefiting from these advancements. We urge you to oppose SB 201 and HB 511 to keep health care affordable for Pennsylvanians.

Sincerely,

Grover Norquist
President
Americans for Tax Reform

Mattie Duppler
Executive Director
Cost of Government Center

TAGS: Health Care