LANSING — Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) has issued the following statement upon being named by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to a bipartisan Prescription Drug Task Force focused on increasing transparency of, and working toward lowering, prescription drug costs:
“One conversation I’ve had that’s remained consistent with constituents in my district is the astronomical costs of health care. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of every dollar spent on health care goes toward the cost of prescription drugs. Due to those costs, families are often forced to choose between paying bills or paying for the medicine they desperately need. The status quo is unacceptable, and Michigan can’t wait for action in Washington, D.C. to bring relief to our residents. I look forward to serving on this task force to explore ways we can do better for the people of Michigan.”
The Task Force was created today by Executive Order 2020-01 and will be housed within the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Other members will include the directors or the directors’ designees from DHHS, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and a bicameral, bipartisan group of legislators.
The Task Force will complete its work and submit a final report to the governor detailing its findings and recommendations by August 15, 2020.
Sen. Brinks represents the 29th Senate District in Kent County that includes the cities of East Grand Rapids, Grands Rapids and Lowell, as well as the townships of Ada, Bowne, Caledonia, Cascade, Grand Rapids, and Lowell.
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