Press Releases
Pascrell, Doggett Demand Answers in Illegal Voter Bribery Card SchemeChairmen highlight latest government abuse amid catastrophic Trump government failure to stem pandemic, lower drug costs
Washington, DC,
September 30, 2020
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, today wrote to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar demanding urgent answers on a purported Trump administration scheme to send prescription drug discount cards to seniors before the election, paid for by taxpayers from a nonexistent government program. “While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has refused to provide Congress with further details about this announcement to date, initial press reports detail the brazen nature of Trump’s scheme. It appears that the Trump Administration may seek to rely on existing waiver authority and claim imaginary ‘savings’ from a separate plan that has not even gone into effect yet. In reality, and in keeping with past dubious actions by this administration to try and abuse taxpayer money, senior citizens and taxpayers will likely be left on the hook to pay for this scam, should it ever be effectuated,” Chairs Pascrell and Doggett write. The Trump administration’s failed abysmally to lower prescription drug costs. Spending on prescription drugs has increased at a higher annual rate under Trump’s government in comparison with what occurred under President Barack Obama’s administration. While once claiming to support the ability for Medicare to finally negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, Donald Trump has refused to support legislation passed by the House of Representatives that provided such authority as well as adding dental, hearing, and vision benefits under Medicare. “This latest gambit by Donald Trump is another abuse of power aimed solely at improving his political standing, rather than advancing the needs of the American people,” the members write, before demanding detailed answers on the latest Trump scheme. The text of Reps. Pascrell and Doggett’s letter is provided below.
September 30, 2020
The Honorable Alex M. Azar II Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Azar, We write urgently to request information regarding the recent announcement by Mr. Trump that his administration plans to send prescription drug discount cards to certain Medicare beneficiaries over the coming weeks. After the Trump Administration repeatedly turned its backs on Americans who need help affording the high costs of their prescription drugs, the announcement appears to be an outrageous bribe intended to buy election votes with taxpayer money and yet the latest con perpetuated by this corrupt regime on the American people. The Trump Administration’s record over the past nearly four years reflects an abysmal failure to lower prescription drug costs. Despite repeated assertions that the Trump Administration has brought down drug prices, the facts tell a different story. Spending on prescription drugs has increased at a higher annual rate under Trump’s government in comparison with what occurred under President Obama’s administration. While once claiming to support the ability for Medicare to finally negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, Donald Trump has refused to support legislation passed by the House of Representatives that provided such authority as well as adding dental, hearing, and vision benefits under Medicare. Now, with voting already underway, rather than supporting legislation that would bring down drug costs, Mr. Trump is making what appears to be a desperate and likely illegal attempt to raid the Medicare Trust Fund for his electoral gain. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has refused to provide Congress with further details about this announcement to date, initial press reports detail the brazen nature of Trump’s scheme. It appears that the Trump Administration may seek to rely on existing waiver authority and claim imaginary “savings” from a separate plan that has not even gone into effect yet. In reality, and in keeping with past dubious actions by this administration to try and abuse taxpayer money, senior citizens and taxpayers will likely be left on the hook to pay for this scam, should it ever be effectuated. As you know, the Constitution provides Congress with the power of the purse, not the Executive Branch. The administration has no authority to spend billions of taxpayer dollars as it sees fit, no matter the political benefit it may seek. This latest gambit by Donald Trump is another abuse of power aimed solely at improving his political standing, rather than advancing the needs of the American people. Accordingly, we request that you provide responses to the following by no later than October 7, 2020:
Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, |