AARP releases New York Senate's 'Top 5' excuses for not passing critical Rx Affordability Bills…AARP members urge Senate to pass bills 'Shining the Light' on drug company gifts to docs and creating Rx discount card on Dec. 13

ALBANY, N.Y./U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement from AARP regarding prescription affordability bills:

Excuses, excuses, excuses. AARP members are tired of the excuses they've heard from their Senators on why the Senate has failed to pass important Rx affordability legislation. They are demanding that the Senate pass the bills on December 13th when they return to Albany.

AARP members gathered in the Capitol today and released a top five list of the most commonly heard excuses from Senators and launched an Rx "excuse-a-thon" where members from across the state publicly read hundreds of excuses they've heard from their Senators.

"AARP members refuse to take another Senate failure lying down, so they called their Senators and asked why they didn't pass these bills. The answers they gave just did not add up," said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director.

The top five excuses that over 45 State Senators gave their constituents for not passing S.696 (Maziarz), to "shine the light" on the billions of dollars Rx companies spend on gifts to doctors and S.5029 (Golden), to allow the state to bulk buy its drugs and create an Rx discount card were:

Excuse No. 1: They ran out of time.

The Senate had a chance in September after the regular session to pass the bills that both overwhelmingly passed the Assembly and they have another chance on Wednesday.

Excuse No. 2: The Senate leadership wouldn't bring the bills to a vote.

While the Senate leadership is partially to blame, so is every Senator who didn't do everything they could to help New Yorkers struggling with high drugs costs by pressing for a vote on these bills.

Excuse No. 3: Small pharmacies would be hurt if the state bulk buys its drugs.

The legislation provides for fair reimbursement to all pharmacies and will actually create a board to protect smaller pharmacies.

Excuse No. 4: Making Rx companies report gifts to doctors violates federal law or federal regulations.

Vermont has a very similar law that is being enforced by the State Attorney General and there are no laws or regulations prohibiting this kind of reporting.

Excuse No. 5: The bills will negatively affect EPIC.

Creating a buying pool even larger than the one EPIC is in now would assist the state in lowering drug prices and save the state and EPIC money.

"Today, the Senate has opportunity to deliver more than just excuses to New Yorkers struggling with high drugs costs," added Aronstein. "They have the chance to pass two drug affordability bills that will make a real difference in the lives of many people in need who are struggling to afford their medications."

Throughout the year, AARP members have taken to the streets, in the legislative districts, throughout their communities and in the halls of the Capitol pushing for this legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for all New Yorkers. Both bills overwhelmingly passed the State Assembly with bipartisan support during the regular legislative session, but under heavy pressure from the drug industry, the Senate failed to pass either one.

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AARP has over 2.6 million members in New York State. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, the monthly newspaper; Segunda Juventud, the quarterly newspaper in Spanish; Live and Learn, the quarterly newsletter for National Retired Teachers Association members; and the Web site, http://www.aarp.org. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.