Admission is the latest plank in Republicans’ agenda of tax hikes and raised premiums
PENNSYLVANIA — Yesterday, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley admitted that a Republican-controlled Senate would not take action on lowering drug prices, saying “If we want to reduce drug prices, then we need to do it now [under a Democratic Congress].”
Grassley’s comments come as Senate Republicans have spent the last few weeks indicating a Republican majority would mean hiking taxes on working families, raising health insurance premiums, and doing nothing to lower costs. Last week, Republican Senator Ron Johnson confirmed that some Republicans’ priority remains repealing the Affordable Care Act. That would mean that more than 100 million Americans with preexisting conditions would lose insurance protections, Americans with private insurance could see their premiums skyrocket, 21 million Americans could lose their insurance, and more. Meanwhile, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Rick Scott’s agenda would raise taxes on over 35% of Pennsylvanians.
“First, Republicans said they wanted to raise taxes on half of Americans, then they confirmed they want to raise health insurance premiums and take away protections for pre-existing conditions. Now they’re admitting a Republican majority means doing nothing to lower prescription drug costs. The contrast could not be more clear: While Democrats are working to lower costs for Pennsylvanians, Republicans have an agenda to make them pay more,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Director Jason Henry.
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