Investing in Our Community's Health

I believe that every American needs and deserves to know if they’re getting the best prices on their prescription drugs. Many of our neighbors in the Seventh District have struggled to afford their lifesaving medications because of needlessly high drug prices. Until recently, pharmacy gag clauses have prevented pharmacists from telling patients when they could pay less for prescription drugs, on both Medicare and private insurance plans.

The good news is that Congress passed and the president signed the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act to end these pharmacy gag clauses. I was proud to support this legislation to ensure our neighbors have better control of their health care decisions. I support allowing American consumers to buy their medication overseas by mail to save money.

Furthermore, investing in cancer research is one of my top priorities. Recently, I voted to fund the National Institutes of Health $4.1 billion above the president’s request, and I increased funding for the National Cancer Institute by $509 million above the president’s budget request. Unfortunately, breast cancer is the top cancer among women worldwide. This year, more than 17,000 Texas women and over 150 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Prevention is the best way to combat this disease. Regular mammograms are vital to early detection. I encourage all women to consult with their healthcare providers so they can take the necessary steps to catch this disease in its early stages. Let’s fight this disease together. You can learn more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment here.