Sen. Gordon Leads Bipartisan Coalition to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs in CT

Will co-chair new Prescription Drug Task Force with lawmakers, healthcare professionals, experts, and advocates.

HARTFORD – State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) today led the effort to reduce prescription drug costs in Connecticut through the newly formed Prescription Drug Task Force, which met for the first time today in Hartford.

The task force is a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of lawmakers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, experts from the pharmaceutical industry, advocates, and patients to determine a legislative solution to tackle the rising cost of prescription drugs. Sen. Gordon will serve as co-chair of the group, along with State Sen. Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), and State Rep. Tracy Marra (R-Darien).

The task force will also examine the challenges in prescription drug access and pharmacy care across Connecticut. The goal is to develop practical solutions that enhance pharmacy access while supporting the health and economic well-being of residents and the state.

“I listen to retirees, families, and hundreds of consituents who are increasingly unable to afford necessary medication. Many are forced to either forego critical medical care or even cut doses in half to save money. Others must cut back on other essentials, compromising both their health and financial stability. Together, we are committed to ensuring that no Connecticut resident must choose between their health and economic security.

“I was proud to propose and am now co-chairing a bipartisan task force dedicated to tackling this pressing issue. Our mission is clear: to create an all-inclusive platform where stakeholders can come together to find common ground and offer practical solutions aimed at making Connecticut more affordable. As both a state senator and a physician with over three decades of experience, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing residents and the businesses that develop and manufacture life-saving treatments. We are blessed by having a very high-quality healthcare system in the state. We must make certain we’re doing things to make treatment more affordable while supporting innovation, development, and advancement,” said Sen. Gordon.

Along with today’s meeting, members will gather again in January and finalize their legislative recommendations in February. Recommendations will come from the task force’s four subcommittees: patient protection, rare diseases and medical innovation, pharmacy benefit management oversight; medication importation and shortages; and prescription drug pricing and Federal 340B program.

According to a 2022 study of more than 1,300 Connecticut adults, the Healthcare Value Hub found that:

• Over half (55%) experienced at least one healthcare affordability burden in the past year;
• Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) worry about affording healthcare in the future;
• Over 1 in 4 (28%) of those surveyed with household incomes under $50,000 had rationed medication in the last 12 months due to cost.
• Lower-income respondents and respondents with disabilities are more likely to go without care and incur debt due to healthcare costs; and
• Across party lines, respondents express strong support for government-led solutions.

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