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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing: Drug Pricing in America
Record date · January 1, 2020
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What This Bill Does
This document is the transcript of a 2019 U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing focused on the rising costs of prescription drugs. The committee heard testimony from patients, health policy experts, and researchers to examine the factors driving drug prices and potential policy solutions.
This hearing served as a foundational legislative step for the 116th Congress to investigate drug pricing, which directly impacts the out-of-pocket costs for millions of Americans relying on prescription medications.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Patients with chronic conditions
These individuals face direct financial impacts from the cost of prescription medications like insulin.
Pharmaceutical industry
The industry is subject to potential legislative changes regarding pricing models and market regulations discussed in the hearing.
Health insurance providers
Insurance companies are involved in the negotiation and coverage of prescription drugs, which are the subject of the committee's inquiry.
Key Facts
- The hearing took place on January 29, 2019, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- The session was the first part of a series titled 'Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change'.
- Witnesses included representatives from health policy think tanks, cancer research centers, and a patient advocate.
- The committee received written communications from 19 different organizations and individuals regarding drug pricing policy.
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- The hearing was presided over by Chairman Chuck Grassley.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Focus on Insulin Costs
The inclusion of a patient advocate specifically representing insulin-dependent diabetes patients highlights the early legislative focus on insulin pricing in 2019.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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