REMINDER: Republican Larry Hogan Sides with Big Drug Companies Getting Rich By Keeping Prices High

Maryland leaders call out Hogan for potentially being the 51st seat Republicans need to pass Big Pharma’s wishlist

Republican Larry Hogan can’t hide from his disastrous record putting Big Pharma before Maryland patients in need of affordable and life-saving medication. Here are the facts about his real record: 

• As governor, Hogan vetoed legislation that would have funded a state board tasked with lowering prescription drug costs. 
• Hogan refused to sign legislation to lower drug costs for state and local government employees. 
• Hogan refused to sign legislation cracking down on pharmaceutical companies that unfairly hike drug prices.
• Hogan strongly opposed the Build Back Better Act, which would have reduced drug prices for millions of Americans. 

Just last week, Hogan planned a fundraiser with a former Big Pharma executive known for jacking up the price of a lifesaving cancer drug. Hogan’s campaign suspiciously removed the event with former Celgene Chairman and CEO Bob Hugin from its fundraising page hours after he was called out by the New Jersey Globe for raising money alongside a Big Pharma executive who price gouged cancer patients.

“Larry Hogan’s rhetoric doesn’t match his record,” said Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, lead House sponsor of legislation vetoed by Hogan to fund a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. “As governor, Hogan sided with Big Pharma by opposing bill after bill aimed to lower prescription drug prices for Marylanders, including my legislation to create and fund a state board to hold Big Pharma accountable for overcharging Marylanders for life-saving medication. If elected to the Senate, he could be the 51st seat Republicans need to pass sweetheart deals that make it easier for Big Pharma to rip off patients.”

“Republican Larry Hogan has a real track record putting Big Pharma’s interests ahead of Maryland patients,” said Delegate Bonnie Cullison, Chairwoman of the House Insurance and Pharmaceutical Subcommittee and a sponsor of legislation vetoed by Hogan to fund a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. “It’s insulting Hogan is trying to rewrite history when he consistently sided with pharmaceutical companies over patients. He refused to sign legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, then doubled down by vetoing a bill to fund it. Marylanders can’t trust Hogan to lower drug costs.”

“Marylanders deserve a Senator who will put their needs before the wishes of giant pharmaceutical companies,” said former Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh. “Our office worked to hold Big Pharma accountable – but former Governor Hogan repeatedly stood in the way. Hogan can’t hide from his real record caving to the pharmaceutical industry. If elected to the Senate, he’d give Republicans the majority they need to let Big Pharma get away with swindling Marylanders.”

“Marylanders can’t afford a Republican Senate majority,” said Larry Zarzecki, a Marylander diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who testified in favor of legislation vetoed by Hogan to fund a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. “Just like his Republican colleagues, Hogan has made clear he won’t protect patients from skyrocketing health care costs, including rising drug prices. Democrat Angela Alsobrooks is the advocate we need in the Senate to hold Big Pharma accountable for ripping off patients like me who depend on life-saving medication.”

See also: ICYMI: Larry Hogan Plans Fundraiser with Big Pharma Exec Known for Price Gouging Cancer Patients

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