House Dems to unveil drug pricing measure ahead of Biden package

House Democrats are preparing to reintroduce major legislation to lower drug prices ahead of President Biden’s unveiling of his American Families Plan.

House Democrats will introduce sections of their signature drug pricing measure, known as H.R. 3, which allows the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prices, “as early as tomorrow,” according to a senior Democratic aide.

The drug pricing provisions could also be included in the American Families Plan that Biden is expected to unveil next week, a large package also including child care, paid leave and other priorities.

However, advocates and lawmakers were on guard on Wednesday over rumors that the drug pricing legislation might not make it into Biden’s package.

“Lowering health costs and prescription drug prices for America’s families is a top priority of House Democrats with overwhelming bipartisan support among the American people, and we expect it to be part of the American Families Plan,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) spokesman Henry Connelly said.

What the bill won’t mention: The House drug pricing bill will be silent, though, on how to spend the billions of dollars in savings.