Press Releases
Pascrell, NJ Delegation Members, Send Letter to New Jersey Pharmaceutical Companies Thanking Them for Commitment to Heath Care Reform
Washington, DC,
July 8, 2009
Tags:
Health Care
As Congress works diligently to pass comprehensive health reform this year, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) released an open letter he led to New Jersey’s biopharmaceutical and medical technology industry for their commitment to quality health care and for their earnest contributions to reform efforts. In a letter sent today to the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), Pascrell and five other members of New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation cited the recent agreement between the nation’s biopharmaceutical companies and the Congress in lowering drug costs for seniors. Other signers of the letter included Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), Rush D. Holt (NJ-12), Leonard Lance (NJ-7), Steven R. Rothman (NJ-9), and Albio Sires (NJ-13). “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and New Jersey’s pharmaceutical industry for continuing to work with the Administration and Congress to make health reform a reality,” the letter read. “We also applaud the industry for making the first sincere private-sector contribution to health care reform.” “Today’s letter extends our appreciation to the New Jersey pharmaceutical industry for making substantial contributions to the discussions to overhaul our ailing health care system,” stated Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), a member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, who is helping draft the House health care reform bill. Last month, the biopharmaceutical industry announced an $80 billion agreement, under which pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies agreed to help close the gap in Medicare Part D coverage. “It is important that we recognize the industry as being part of the solution. The biopharmaceutical industry serves a vital role in the state of New Jersey, employing nearly 60,000 New Jerseyans and contributing nearly $30 billion in economic activity to the state last year, and I am proud that these companies call New Jersey their home. I look forward to continuing to work with New Jersey’s biopharmaceutical industry to pass health reform this year,” Pascrell added. The agreement reached last month in lowering drug costs for seniors represents the changing paradigm in health care reform. The partnership between Congress, the Obama Administration and the biopharmaceutical industry underscores the importance of cutting-edge prescription medicines in the lives of patients. Bob Franks, president of HINJ, emphasized the industry’s commitment to health reform efforts, “the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and its member companies are committed to working with the Administration and Congress to help enact comprehensive health care reform this year. We are at a key turning point in our country’s journey toward meaningful reform. These latest efforts recognize a shared vision, as well as a shared sacrifice; however, we share a common goal: every American should have access to affordable, high-quality health care coverage and services.” The full text of the letter is below. July 8, 2009 The Honorable Bob Franks Dear Mr. Franks: As you know, we are working diligently in Congress to pass comprehensive health reform that reigns in health care spending while providing access to quality health care to the almost 50 million uninsured and the 25 million underinsured people in this country. Unlike previous efforts at reform, our current endeavor has brought all the stakeholders to the table, which we believe will serve as the true linchpin to accomplishing the task of changing our health care system. It is for this reason that we were so pleased to see the biopharmaceutical industry work with President Obama to identify ways to make prescriptions drugs more affordable for seniors. We have long been concerned about the high out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and believe that closing the coverage gap is a significant step forward in ensuring that seniors have access to life-saving medicines. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and New Jersey’s pharmaceutical industry for continuing to work with the Administration and Congress to make health reform a reality. We also applaud the industry for making the first sincere private-sector contribution to health care reform. In an effort to produce legislation that is fiscally responsible, there are sure to be difficult decisions ahead, and it is our hope that your member companies will remain willing partners as we continue to work through the details of a comprehensive health reform package that works for America. Again, thank you for your contribution, and we look forward to working with you and your members in the months ahead. Sincerely, Bill Pascrell, Jr. Frank Pallone, Jr. Rush D. Holt Leonard Lance Steven R. Rothman Albio Sires ### |