Last week the Senate passed a package of legislation aimed at combating the sky-high costs of medication and I was proud to have two of my bills included in that package.
The first of these bills, S.371, will bring down prices by authorizing New York State to import prescription medications from Canada, where drug prices can be significantly lower while remaining in compliance with U.S. federal standards.
The second, S.5939B, will work to lower prescription drug costs for patients and increase pharmacy access in all areas of the state by ensuring the pharmacists who dispense these critical drugs are at least reimbursed at the Medicaid rate by commercial insurance plans.
What it comes down is that New Yorkers need pharmacies that can thrive in their communities, and they are paying too much for their prescriptions – the data bears that out. No one should have to choose between filling their prescription and putting food on the table, and I’m going to keep fighting to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all New Yorkers.
