TO THE HONORABLE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES OF WASHINGTON, OREGON,
IDAHO, ALASKA, AND MONTANA, AND TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
We, Your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully
represent and petition as follows:
WHEREAS, Thanks to significant investments in research and
development by pharmaceutical manufacturers, prescription medications offer
ever more safe, effective, and economical means of managing and treating a
widening range of illnesses and conditions; and
WHEREAS, Prescription medications are the most rapidly expanding
component of health care in the Northwest and the United States; and
WHEREAS, The prices of most prescription medications developed and
marketed in the United States are relatively high compared to the prices of
these same medications in other countries and other markets; and
WHEREAS,
Expenditures on prescription medications for Medicaid recipients in Washington
has risen substantially in recent years, placing severe strains on the
operating budget of the department of social and health services; and
WHEREAS,
The federal government, unlike its counterparts in other countries, applies
neither its regulatory authority nor its purchasing power to the prices of
prescription medication which consequently are markedly higher in the United
States than in other countries; and
WHEREAS,
The United States stands virtually alone among the major countries of the world
in recognizing and protecting the legitimate patent rights of companies that
develop new prescription medications yet places no reciprocal obligations on
these companies to provide reasonable and affordable access to these patented
medications; and
WHEREAS,
The federal government, by legislating to ensure relatively low prices for
prescription medications purchased by federal agencies like the Veteran's
Administration and for federal programs like Medicaid, while maintaining
barriers against state governments taking similar measures, has exacerbated the
impact of prescription medication prices on the citizens of the state; and
WHEREAS,
The high prices of prescription medications weigh most heavily on the least
fortunate and most vulnerable citizens, the uninsured and underinsured, as well
as those stricken by serious and chronic illnesses and conditions requiring
intensive and extensive treatment; and
WHEREAS,
Managing prices of prescription medications and expanding access to necessary
medication will decrease the overall cost of health care by reducing the demand
for hospital visits and emergency services and the need for surgical and other
expensive procedures;
NOW,
THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that in seeking to ensure
reasonable prescription medication prices for the citizens of Washington, the
state of Washington, through its duly elected and appointed officials, should
explore the possibility of acting in concert with other Northwest states to
pursue this goal; and
BE
IT RESOLVED, That the Northwest states should consider cooperative strategies
to address the challenge of the high cost of prescription medications,
including:
(1)
Model legislation to ensure citizens access to prescription medications at
reasonable and affordable prices;
(2)
Joint pricing and purchasing agreements for prescription medications;
(3)
Programs to provide and facilitate access of qualified citizens to supplies of
free and discounted prescription medications offered by pharmaceutical
manufacturers; and
(4)
Initiatives to encourage and ensure medications are prescribed in the most
effective manner; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to
the Honorable Governors of the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and
Montana, and to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States of
America, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.
