April 16, 2026
Dear Senate HELP Committee Members,
The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) applauds Chairman Bill Cassidy and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders for convening this timely hearing on strategies to improve prescription drug affordability and strengthen market competition.
As an organization committed to improving health outcomes in Hispanic communities, we remain concerned about disparities in access to care and the burden of chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity. Managing these conditions requires consistent access to affordable medications, yet high drug prices often put essential treatments out of reach, leading to missed doses and poorer outcomes.
Complex pricing and rebate structures, along with coverage restrictions and administrative barriers, can obscure whether savings reach patients and may incentivize higher list prices over lower-cost options. Addressing these misaligned incentives is essential to ensure competition benefits patients.
Greater transparency and accountability are critical. Policymakers need clearer insight into how pricing and discounts flow through the system and whether savings reach underserved communities. Strengthening oversight and aligning incentives will help improve affordability and access.
Federal policies must prioritize patients and advance health equity. Clear safeguards and metrics are needed to ensure reforms effectively reach those most in need, including Hispanic communities facing persistent barriers to care.
The National Hispanic Health Foundation looks forward to working with Congress to advance policies that promote competition, improve transparency, and ensure that cost savings are passed on to patients. Doing so will be essential to reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for the communities we serve.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, MACP
President, National Hispanic Health Foundation