FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box 53313
1921 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009-9997
August 16, 2023
Doctors for America’s Statement on the Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Doctors for America (DFA) is excited to celebrate the first anniversary of Congress’ passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This historic law included one of the most significant improvements to Medicare in decades by removing the longstanding prohibition on drug price negotiation, estimated to save nearly $300 billion over 10 years that can be reinvested into other health and social needs. The IRA also included other crucial provisions aligning with DFA priorities, such as mandating rebates when drug price increases exceed inflation, capping Medicare patients’ out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 annually and $35 monthly for insulin, extending COVID-era expansions of Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies, and investing in new ways to fight the climate change crisis, an existential threat to public health. While DFA is thrilled by this law’s immense potential, we also raise the alarm regarding PhRMA, the US Chamber of Commerce, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Johnson & Johnson’s litigation to block Medicare drug price negotiation as unconstitutional, despite every public insurance program engaging in some form of drug price regulation. DFA is proud to join Public Citizen, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, Protect Our Care, and Families USA in an amicus curiae brief to support the Biden Administration’s efforts to preserve this essential law from attack not even a year after its passage. On the IRA’s anniversary, DFA calls on our 27,000+ members and all physicians, health professionals, and patients who support access to affordable care to mobilize against the greed of pharmaceutical manufacturers, which has gone unchecked for too long.
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America mobilizes doctors and medical students to be leaders in putting patients over politics to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. DFA is an organization of over 27,000 physician and medical student advocates in all 50 states, representing all areas of specialization. DFA teaches physicians and medical students advocacy skills and does advocacy at a state and federal level. Our impact areas focus on access to affordable care, community health and prevention, and health justice and equity. DFA focuses solely on what is best for our patients, not on the business side of medicine, and does not accept any funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies, which uniquely positions DFA as the organization that puts patients over politics and patients over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter drsforamerica.