Wyden Statement on Pharma Bailout in Opioid Bill

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement after news reports indicated a revised bill to tackle the opioid crisis may include a provision that sends billions to pharmaceutical companies:

“It would be unconscionable for Republicans to airdrop a bailout for Big Pharma into a piece of legislation that spends less than half of that amount to curtail the opioid epidemic,” Wyden said. “This handout to price-gouging pharmaceutical manufacturers will increase premiums on seniors in Medicare and do nothing to lower the cost of their drugs at the pharmacy counter. I will oppose any measure that includes this provision without corresponding policies that bring substantial relief to Americans struggling with high drug prices.”

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