U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) says he hopes to resume his battle in the new year to bring down the costs of medications as part of health care reform, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"On all thee measures, we have asked for action to have these bills considered," Doggett said. "The Republican chairmen won't approve our having a hearing on these bills, in fact, they won't even agree to have a hearing to discuss the issue of drug prices."
Doggett has been pushing for the past two years to pass 'common sense' legislation to bring down drug prices, including measures to enable the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to bring down costs of drugs for seniors and low income Medicaid recipients.
"Because they block out attempts to get a hearing on these bills, we looks for opportunities to have amendments to advance the issue."
Doggett heads a House task force on reducing drug prices. He says the bill that created Medicare Part D also included a ban on the Medicare provider negotiating with drug manufacturers.
Doggett says comments by President Trump that drug companies are 'getting away with murder' has given him hope that some of these measures may get traction in the new year.