Return to top of page

The Alliance and Leading National Patient Advocacy Organizations Urge Congress to Pass Key Medicare Drug Affordability Reforms

Published March 17, 2022

The Alliance for Aging Research, in conjunction with other prominent national patient advocacy organizations, urged Congress to take action to address high out-of-pocket prescription costs in the Medicare Part D program, easing the burden on millions who cannot afford their medications.

In a letter sent to Congress, the group asked House and Senate leadership to pass legislation to cap financial liability for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, the only insured group in the nation who have no annual limit for out-of-pocket costs. The letter also highlighted the need for Congress to implement a “smoothing” provision to allow beneficiaries to pay for prescription drug costs in zero-interest payment installments.

The Alliance has helped lead the call for an out-of-pocket cap and smoothing mechanism in Medicare through Project LOOP. There is strong, bipartisan support for both provisions in Congress.

Organizations signing the letter to Congressional leaders include:

  • Alliance for Aging Research
  • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
  • American Lung Association
  • Arthritis Foundation
  • Epilepsy Foundation
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  • Lupus Foundation of America
  • Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
  • National Council on Aging
  • National Health Council
  • National Organization for Rare Disorders
  • PAN Foundation
  • Parkinson’s Foundation
  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation

The letter can be read here.

About the Alliance for Aging Research

The Alliance for Aging Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the pace of scientific discoveries and their application to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health. The Alliance believes advances in research help people live longer, happier, more productive lives and reduce healthcare costs over the long term. For more than 30 years, the Alliance has guided efforts to substantially increase funding and focus for aging at the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration; built influential coalitions to guide groundbreaking regulatory improvements for age-related diseases; and created award-winning, high-impact educational materials to improve the health and well-being of older adults and their family caregivers. For more information, visit www.agingresearch.org

Media Contact:
Matthew Thompson
Digital Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
(202) 486-3944

News & Updates