Today, Gerard Scimeca, Chairman of Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s State of the Union address:

“The President’s address to Americans last night pushed more deceitful political rhetoric, including numerous claims that his policies are working to reduce costs and improve outcomes for consumers, especially in healthcare. This is the direct opposite of the truth.

“The so called ‘Strike Force’ announced this week on lowering costs is another political stunt to make it seem as though the Biden administration is siding with consumers. However, this political charade masks the true costs consumers face under the President’s policies.

“For example, the Inflation Reduction Act’s price controls on drugs covered under Medicare pose a serious threat to the investment and innovation needed for lifesaving medications. Expanding the scheme would only do more damage to America’s leadership in medical innovation. Coupled with the administration’s proposed abuse of the Bayh-Dole Act’s “march-in” rights to manipulate pricing, these policies amount to a full-fledged assault on intellectual property protections and will harm much more than drug development. Patients and consumers deserve leadership that prioritizes their best interests rather than a political agenda.

“CASE advocates for all U.S. consumers, and firmly stands against President Biden’s radical healthcare agenda. We urge the administration to reconsider its approach and focus on market-driven solutions that promote competition and innovation to drive down costs, rather than resorting to measures that may set us back in the quest for affordable and accessible healthcare.”