WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after the committee passed two bills he helped introduce, the Action for Dental Health Act (S. 3016) and the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act (S. 2554).
“Gag clauses prohibit pharmacists from telling patients how they could save money and increase drug costs by thwarting market force. These rules are just another way our health care system is rigged against patients and transparency. Our bill eliminates gag clauses so that patients can know the true cost of drugs and save money,” said Dr. Cassidy, who unveiled a nine-page white paper of ideas to make health care affordable again in May that specifically addressed the issue of gag clauses and decreasing drug costs for patients (page 7).
“Our bill increasing access to oral health care will target resources to underserved communities and provide greater access to disadvantaged patients. Giving children and adults the oral health education and dental disease treatment they need to thrive will empower them to reach their full potential,” Dr. Cassidy continued. “I’m very glad to see both of these bills advanced by the committee.”
Cassidy is currently leading a bipartisan effort to increase price transparency in health care, which he discussed in today’s edition of The World and Everything in It, a WORLD Radio podcast.
###