Wyden, Crapo Applaud Committee Passage of Legislation to Improve Mental Health Care, Lower Drug Costs and Extend Essential Medicaid and Medicare Programs
Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, today lauded committee passage of the Better Mental Health Care, Lower Drug Cost, and Extenders Act, which was reported out of committee 26-0.
The legislation expands mental health care and substance use disorder services under Medicaid and Medicare, reduces prescription drug costs for seniors at the pharmacy counter, extends essential Medicaid and Medicare provisions that will expire this year, and increases Medicare payments to support physicians and other providers.
“Once again this committee has come together in the fight to expand access to mental health care and rein in the shadowy tactics by pharmacy benefit managers that hurt community pharmacies and drive up prescription drug costs for seniors and taxpayers – all while also making sure essential Medicaid and Medicare programs can continue,” Wyden said. “I am proud of the work accomplished today, and I want to thank Ranking Member Crapo for his leadership and members of the committee for their contributions throughout this process and for the work that is to come.”
“This comprehensive legislation will reduce out-of-pocket medication costs for seniors, enhance accountability in our federal health care programs, improve access to high-quality mental health services, and extend critical support for clinicians and suppliers,” Crapo said. “I thank Senator Wyden and every member of the Committee for their partnership in this effort, and look forward to advancing this comprehensive, deficit-cutting, bipartisan legislation.”
Click here for more information on the legislation, including a description of the Chairman’s Mark and a section-by-section summary.
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