VPR Audio Excerpt:

Rep. Bill Lippert, chair of the House Committee on Health Care, says the measure is needed because the cost of many drugs has skyrocketed in the past few years.

"It's just impossible to access them unless you have really adequate health insurance, and sometimes even having adequate health insurance is not sufficient," Lippert said.

Lippert says he’s encouraged that the state of Utah is developing a similar plan and has offered to help Vermont develop its own program.

Lippert says the plan will require a waiver from the federal government before it can be put into place. He's hopeful that approval will be granted next year because the Trump administration has indicated a strong interest in lowering prescription drug costs.

The House bill is similar to legislation already passed by the Senate. Leaders in the Senate will now decide if they want to accept the House version of the bill or propose some changes for the House to consider.

http://digital.vpr.net/post/plan-import-prescription-drugs-canada-finds-strong-support-vermont-statehouse#stream/0