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Washington, DC (March 11, 2019) – Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement today regarding President Trump’s FY 2020 budget proposal:

“While we are still reviewing the details of the President’s proposed budget, we applaud the President’s efforts to lower patients’ out of pocket costs for prescription drugs, and to rein in abuses and increase accountability within the 340B drug discount program."

“That said, we have serious concerns that elements of this proposal threaten to harm some of the nation’s most vulnerable patients, including seniors and low-income families. The budget would fundamentally upset the successful Medicare drug benefit that has provided American seniors with affordable prescription drug coverage while costing taxpayers less than originally expected."

"This includes a proposal to increase out of pocket costs for patients in the coverage gap who rely upon brand name drugs. We are also concerned that proposed changes to Medicaid could limit beneficiary access to needed cures and treatments. We will continue to review these proposals and stand ready to work with the administration and members of both parties in Congress to advance policies related to health, agriculture, and energy that will preserve America’s role as the world leader in biotechnology innovation.”