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In News

“Care Force One” Crisscrossed the Nation to Demand Lower Costs & Better Care For All Americans

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Peter Welch, (D-VT-AL), Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08), Annie Kuster (D-NH-02), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), Val Demings (D-FL-10), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Katie Porter (D-CA-45), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) Along With State & Local Elected Officials and Storytellers Headlined “Care Force One” Stops In 16 States 

Washington, DC — Last week, Protect Our Care’s 8,600-mile, 31-event, 16-state “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour came to a close after “Care Force One” drove from Maine to California to demonstrate the urgent need to lower health costs including for drugs and insurance premiums, expand coverage, and reduce racial disparities in care. Events were headlined by 13 members of Congress, 40 state and local elected officials, and 42 health care advocates and storytellers. Throughout the tour, national and local elected officials promoted the work of President Biden and their Democratic colleagues who are leading the charge to advance American health care. Coverage makes clear American families are demanding relief and want lawmakers to act now so health care is a right, not a privilege. 

“With President Biden and Democrats’ Build Back Better agenda, America has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve health care by lowering costs and expanding coverage for millions of Americans,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “The combination of lowering prescription drug costs by giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies, closing the Medicaid expansion coverage gap, permanently extending premium tax credits that were expanded in the American Rescue Plan, and adding benefits for dental, vision and hearing in Medicare would do the most to improve American health care since the Affordable Care Act passed more than a decade ago. As the coverage of ‘Care Force One’ proves, Americans want better health care and lower costs and with the leadership of President Biden and Congressional Democrats, we’ll soon get the job done.” 

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

MAINE

Care Force One traveled to Bangor and Portland for events with Attorney General Aaron Frey, State Sen. Troy Jackson, State Rep. Joe Perry, State Sen. Stacy Brenner, State Rep. Colleen Madigan, and health care advocates. 

Coverage: 

VERMONT

Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT-AL) and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray headlined the “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Burlington. 

Coverage:

NEW HAMPSHIRE

U.S. Representative Annie Kuster (D-NH-02) joined health care advocates for the bus tour stop in Concord. 

Coverage:

PENNSYLVANIA

Care Force One made stops in Allentown, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh for events headlined by Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-07), Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) and State Rep. Jessica Benham. 

Coverage

NEW JERSEY

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), State Sen. Loretta Weinberg, and Assemblyman John McKeon joined health care advocates for bus tour events in Teaneck, New Brunswick, and Burlington County. 

Coverage

DELAWARE

During stops in Wilmington and Dover, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and State Treasurer Colleen Davis headlined events with State Senator Kyle Evans Gay, and State Representative Mimi Minor Brown and United Way of Delaware President & CEO Michelle Taylor. 

Coverage

WEST VIRGINIA

Care Force One made stops in Morgantown and Charleston for events with Senator Richard Lindsay, Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, Delegate John Williams, Delegate Evan Hansen, Delegate Mike Pushkin, Delegate Kayla Young, and health care advocates. 

Coverage: 

OHIO

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, Youngstown Health Commissioner Erin Bishop, and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein joined health care advocates for bus tour events in Youngstown and Columbus. 

Coverage

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul headlined events with State Senator Melissa Agard, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and local advocates during stops in Milwaukee and Madison. 

Coverage

NORTH CAROLINA

Care Force One made stops in Raleigh and Charlotte for events with Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham, Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Senator Natalie Murdock, and health care advocates.

Coverage:

GEORGIA

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, State Senator Sonya Halpern, State Representative Rebecca Mitchell, and State Representative Derek Mallow joined health care advocates for events in Atlanta and Savannah. 

FLORIDA

U.S. Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Val Demings (D-FL-10), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) headlined events in Orlando and Tampa. 

Coverage:

COLORADO

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) joined State Senator Julie Gonzales, State Representative Iman Jodeh and health care advocates for an event in Denver. 

Coverage: 

ARIZONA

Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy, State Representative Kelli Butler, and State Senator Kirsten Engel joined health care advocates for events in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. 

Coverage:

CALIFORNIA

During stops in San Diego and Orange County, U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) and Katie Porter (D-CA-45) headlined events with Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan and health care advocates.

 

Coverage:

NEVADA

The “Lower Costs, Better Care” tour wrapped in Las Vegas, Nevada, with an event featuring State Representative Fabian Donate and State Assemblyman Edgar Flores. 

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/.

protectourcare
In News

Week Four: Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Tour Concludes with Stops in Colorado, Arizona, California, and Nevada

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) and Katie Porter (D-CA-54) joined State and Local Elected Officials to Headline “Lower Costs, Better Care” Events in Four States

Washington, DC — On the fourth and final week of Protect Our Care’s 8,600-mile, 36-event, 19-state “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” made stops in four states to demonstrate the urgent need to lower health costs including for drugs and insurance premiums, expand coverage, and reduce racial disparities in care. During each stop, national and local elected officials, including U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) and Katie Porter (D-CA-54), headlined events alongside local lawmakers, health care advocates and storytellers promoting the work of President Biden and their Democratic colleagues who are leading the charge to advance American health care. 

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

DENVER, COLORADO:

Protect Our Care was joined by U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), State Senator Julie Gonzales, State Representative Iman Jodeh, cancer survivor and health care advocate Laura Packard, and local resident Mariah Zebrowski, at the Colorado State Capitol. 

Coverage: 

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA:

At Heritage Square, Protect Our Care held a press conference with Congressional District Director Keith Brekhus, Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy, and health care advocate Laura Packard.

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA:

Protect Our Care was joined by Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham, Action NC Executive Director Pat McCoy, DonnaMarie Woodson, Little Lobbyists Community Engagement Director Stacy Staggs, and Laura Packard for a press conference. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

TUCSON, ARIZONA:

Protect Our Care held a press conference with State Senator Kirsten Engel and health care advocate Laura Packard. 

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA:

Protect Our Care was joined by Representative Sara Jacobs, Serving Seniors CEO Paul Downey, West Health’s Tim Lash, and health care advocate Laura Packard at a press conference. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA:

In Tustin, Protect Our Care was joined by Representative Katie Porter, Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, health care access organizer Bryant Miramontes, and Laura Packard for a press conference. 

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA:

State Representative Fabian Donate, State Assemblyman Edgar Flores, and Laura Packard joined Protect Our Care in Las Vegas for a press conference. 

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/.

mtwomey
In News

New Jersey Mayors Pen Letter to President Biden and Congressional Leadership, Calling for Prescription Drug Reform and Health Care Expansion

Elected Officials Urge Congress to Stand Up to Big Pharma and Give Medicare the Power to Negotiate for Lower Drug Prices

This week, five New Jersey mayors sent a letter urging lawmakers to prioritize ensuring all Americans access to affordable, high-quality health care by including prescription drug pricing reform in the upcoming budget reconciliation language. These elected officials acknowledge Big Pharma’s grip on Washington and its attempts to protect its massive profits while Americans pay three times more for their prescriptions than people in other countries. Giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices would save patients more than $150 billion at the pharmacy counter and create $500 billion in savings for the federal government that could be reinvested in closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing, dental, and vision, and reducing health care premiums for Americans purchasing coverage on their own. Today’s coverage illustrates that support from local officials is essential in the fight to rein in prescription drug costs, expand coverage and reduce health care disparities. 

HEADLINES

TAPInto Morristown: Morristown Mayor and Others Urge Biden, Congress to Pass Prescription Drug Reform with Medicare Negotiations. “In a letter sent to President Joe Biden and the congressional leadership, the five mayors urged the passing of a bold prescription drug reform that gives Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for consumers. President Biden and the Democratic congressional leadership have already proposed giving Medicare such powers as part of the president’s Build Back Better agenda that Congress will be considering this fall. Local mayors and local elected officials are asking leaders in Washington to overcome the opposition of pharmaceutical companies to put the health of everyday people first.” [TAPInto Morristown, 9/1/21] 

Hudson County View: Bhalla, Davis Join 3 Other N.J. Mayors Calling on Biden, Congress to Pass Prescription Drug Reform. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally bring down drug prices for American families. The anxiety of not being able to afford health care felt by American families across the country has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there has never been a more urgent time to improve the health and well-being of American families. The time to act is now.” [The Hudson County View, 9/1/21]

 

mtwomey
In News

TODAY: Reps. Jacobs and Porter to Headline Care Force One Stops in California Calling for Lower Costs and Better Care For All Americans

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2***

Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) and Katie Porter (D-CA-45) Will Headline Protect Our Care’s Nationwide “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Stops in San Diego and Tustin on Thursday

California — U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) will join health care advocates and experts for Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in San Diego, California. Then, U.S. Representative Katie Porter (D-CA-45) and Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan will headline Tustin’s bus tour stop. Both events are part of Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour to call for lowering health costs, expanding coverage, and reducing racial disparities in care. Protect Our Care is fighting to ensure critical health care measures supported by President Biden remain in upcoming budget reconciliation legislation. At today’s event, speakers will convey the urgency to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans. 

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Live Here

SAN DIEGO 

WHO: 

Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

Tim Lash, President of West Health Policy Center

Paul Downey, CEO of Serving Seniors

Dr. Karen Becerra, CEO of Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center

Laura Packard

WHERE: Care Force One, at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, 1525 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

WHEN: Thursday, September 2 at 10AM PT

TUSTIN 

WHO: 

Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA-45) 

Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan

Bryant Miramontes, Sr. Campaign Organizer, Health Access

Susan Meyer, Southern California Organizer, CARA

Laura Packard

WHERE: Care Force One, Tustin Area Senior Center, 200 S C. St. Tustin, CA 92780

WHEN: Thursday, September 2 at 4PM PT

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/.

mtwomey
In News

Momentum Grows: Health Experts, Patient Advocates, and Lawmakers Call For Action to Lower Prescription Drug Costs & Expand Access to Health Care

Even as Big Pharma Ramps Up Its Campaign to Force Americans to Continue to Pay More for Drugs Than Consumers in Other Countries, Advocates, Patients and Elected Officials Are Unbowed 

Across the country, health care experts, lawmakers, and advocates are calling on Congress to include transformative measures to lower health costs and improve care in upcoming budget reconciliation legislation. President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, close the Medicaid gap, expand Medicare benefits to include hearing, dental, and vision, and reduce health care premiums for millions of Americans purchasing coverage on their own. Giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices would save patients more than $150 billion at the pharmacy counter and create $500 billion in savings for the federal government that could be reinvested in other measures to strengthen health care for American families. There has never been a more urgent time to improve health care access, and these op-eds demonstrate that any lawmaker that tries to stand in the way is rejecting the will of the American people. 

HEADLINES

(DE) Lucretia Young, State Director For AARP Delaware, In Delaware Online: Allow Medicare To Negotiate For Lower Prescription Drug Prices. “Allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. An AARP survey shows that 87% of registered voters 50 plus support allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies…It’s not fair that Americans are stuck paying the highest prices in the world for our prescription drugs. These prescription drugs don’t work if people can’t afford to take them.” [Delaware Online, 8/19/21]

(NJ) Dr. Aakash Shah, Bergen County Emergency Medicine Physician, In North Jersey: Prescription Drug Reform Is Long Overdue. “As many as 20% of New Jerseyans report having to forego filling a prescription because of its high cost, 24% of Americans report having difficulty paying for their prescription medications, and 36% of Americans report having to forego filling a prescription medication or cutting doses in half because they need money to pay for essential bills…Prescription drug reform is long overdue.” [North Jersey, 8/10/21]

(AZ) Alex Juarez, Communications Director Of AARP Arizona, In The Arizona Republic: Prescription Drug Prices Are Skyrocketing. Will Congress Finally Act? “It’s not fair that Americans are stuck paying the highest prices in the world for our prescription drugs. These prescription drugs don’t work if people can’t afford to take them. The president and Congress agree we need to lower drug prices – now it’s time for them to get it done.” [Arizona Republic, 8/31/21] 

(PA) State Rep. Jessica Benham In The Pennsylvania Capitol Star: It’s Long Past Time We Stopped Treating Healthcare Like A Privilege. “In the coming weeks, Congress can make every single one of these policies a reality through budget reconciliation. Voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support these measures and are demanding their elected officials act. But while Democrats are fighting tirelessly to lower costs and expand coverage, Republicans have already indicated that they are standing by Big Pharma and other special interests over the American people.” [Pennsylvania Capitol-Star, 8/29/21]  

(NH) Jayme Simões, Protect Our Care New Hampshire Chair, In Union Leader: Pandemic Taught Us Health Care Is A Right Not A Privilege. “In New Hampshire, as many as 25% of residents report that they did not fill a prescription due to cost. The average annual cost of brand name prescription drugs in New Hampshire jumped by 58% between 2012 and 2017, while Granite Staters’ annual income increased by only 13%. It does not have to be this way.” [Union Leader, 9/1/21]

(OH) Rep. Tim Ryan In Akron Beacon Journal: Tim Ryan Backs Bill Aimed At Lowering Prescription Drug Prices. “As Congress negotiates the upcoming budget bill, we must prioritize lowering drug prices for Americans, so we can keep more money in the pockets of seniors and families, here in Ohio and nationwide. The best way to do that is to give Medicare the ability to negotiate drug prices, which will result in savings for all.” [Akron Beacon Journal, 8/19/21]

mtwomey
In News, Report, Research

NEW REPORT: Drug Companies on the Wrong Side of the Drug Pricing Issue Launch Campaign of Big Lies and Fake Front Groups

Washington, DC — As Democrats in Congress work to respond to their constituents and pass reforms that lower the price of prescription drugs for patients, Big Pharma has begun to deploy it’s vast warchest – and a series of well-funded front groups – to mislead, distort and outright threaten patients in their effort to hold on to their staggering prices and profits.

For 20 years, drug companies have benefited from a law that bans Medicare from negotiating lower prices for patients. As a result, Americans now pay three times more for the same drugs as people do in other countries. Democrats in Congress want to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for all Americans, including people on Medicare and people with private insurance. The Congressional Budget Office found that these reforms could save patients as much as 55 percent on the price of their prescription drugs.

So, like clockwork, Big Pharma has started launching misleading ad campaigns. Almost all of them are channeled through groups with patient-friendly names that have one thing in common: drug industry money or connections.

This new report details how the many major ad campaigns currently running against prescription drug price reform are actually backed by pharmaceutical industry funds. The ads are paid for by the same people who profit by keeping the prices artificially high and protecting their monopoly while millions of American families cannot afford life saving medicines.

“From this report, everyone can find out the truth about who’s behind these ad campaigns –  and it’s the same drug companies that want to keep prices high and profits skyrocketing,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “Members of Congress can either vote with these drug companies or vote for reforms that lower the price of drugs for patients. Lives are on the line.”

Read the full report here: REVEALED: 8 PHARMA FUNDED AD CAMPAIGNS

protectourcare
In News

Week Three: Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Traveled to West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Val Demings (D-FL-10), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and along with State and Local Elected Officials Headlined “Lower Costs, Better Care” Events in Four States

Washington, DC — On the third week of Protect Our Care’s 8,600-mile, 36-event, 19-state “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour, “Care Force One” made stops in four states to demonstrate the urgent need to lower health costs including for drugs and insurance premiums, expand coverage, and reduce racial disparities in care. During each stop, national and local elected officials, including U.S. Representatives Val Demings (D-FL-10), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Charlie Crist (D-FL-13), and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), headlined events alongside health care advocates and storytellers promoting the work of President Biden and their Democratic colleagues who are leading the charge to advance American health care. Next week, the tour continues in Colorado, Arizona, California, and Nevada. 

Watch All Bus Tour Stops Here

CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA:

Protect Our Care was joined by Senator Richard Lindsay, Delegate Mike Pushkin, Delegate Kayla Young, patient advocate Mindy Salango, and Health Care Voter’s Executive Director Laura Packard, at the West Virginia State Capitol. 

Coverage

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA:

In Moore Square, Protect Our Care held a press conference with Senator Jay Chaudhuri,

Senator Natalie Murdock, NC AFL-CIO President Mary-Be McMillan, Raleigh-Apex NAACP President Gerald Givens, and Laura Packard.

Coverage

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: 

Protect Our Care was joined by Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham, Action NC Executive Director Pat McCoy, DonnaMarie Woodson, Little Lobbyists Community Engagement Director Stacy Staggs, and Laura Packard for a press conference. 

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA:

Protect Our Care held a press conference with State Representative Rebecca Mitchell, State Senator Sonya Halpern, Georgians for a Health Future Organizing Director Knetta Adkins and Laura Packard at IBEW Local 613 Auditorium. 

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA:

Protect Our Care was joined by Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, ​​Executive Director of Step Up Savannah Alicia Johnson, State Representative Derek Mallow, and Laura Packard for a virtual press conference.

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA:

At Orlando City Hall, Protect Our Care was joined by Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-9th), Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL-10th), health care advocate Jennifer Dotson, and Laura Packard for a press conference. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

TAMPA, FLORIDA:

Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13th), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14th), State Representative Dianne Hart (District 61), Dr. Vondalyn Wright, and Laura Packard joined Protect Our Care at Lykes Gaslight Park for a press conference. 

Coverage:

Watch the event here. | Read Event Release here.

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/.

protectourcare
In News

COVERAGE: U.S. Rep. Darren Soto and Rep. Val Demings Join Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour in Orlando

Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Val Demings, and Health Care Advocates Joined Protect Our Care on the Nationwide “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour to Demonstrate the Urgent Need to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs and Cover Floridians Who Fall Into the Medicaid Gap

Watch Central Florida News 13 (Orlando) Clip HERE. 

Watch WFTV Channel 27 (Orlando) Clip HERE.

protectourcare
In News

TODAY: Care Force One Makes Two Stops in Florida to Call For Lower Costs and Better Care For All Americans

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 26***

Congresswoman Val Demings, Congressman Darren Soto, Congressman Charlie Crist, and  Congresswoman Kathy Castor Will Headline Protect Our Care’s Nationwide “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour Stops in Orlando and Tampa on Thursday

Florida — Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL-10th) along with Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-9th) will join health care advocates and local residents for Protect Our Care’s “Lower Costs, Better Care” bus tour stop in Orlando, Florida. Then, Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13th) and Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14th) will headline Tampa’s bus tour stop. Both events are part of Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour to call for lowering health costs, expanding coverage, and reducing racial disparities in care. Protect Our Care is fighting to ensure critical health care measures supported by President Biden remain in upcoming budget reconciliation legislation. At tomorrow’s event, speakers will convey the urgency to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans. 

ORLANDO 

WHO: 

Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-9th)

Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL-10th)

Jennifer Dotson, local Orlando resident and health care advocate with a story on the cost of prescription drugs and the need to expand Medicaid

Laura Packard, national healthcare advocate and stage-4 cancer survivor

Other healthcare advocates; members of For Our Future

WHERE: Care Force One, in front of Orlando City Hall – 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801

WHEN: Thursday, August 26 at 11:30 AM

 

TAMPA 

WHO: 

Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL-13th)

Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14th)

State Representative Dianne Hart (District 61)

Dr. Vondalyn Wright, local doctor and owner of a community pharmacy

Laura Packard, national healthcare advocate and stage-4 cancer survivor

Other healthcare advocates; members of For Our Future

WHERE: Care Force One, outside at Lykes Gaslight Park – 2310 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602

WHEN: Thursday, August 26 at 4:00 PM

 

For more information on the Protect Our Care “Lower Costs, Better Care” Bus Tour visit https://www.protectourcare.org/bus-tour/.

protectourcare
In News

IN THE STATES: Health Experts, Patient Advocates, and Lawmakers Call on Congress to Lower Drug Prices

Across the country, health care experts, lawmakers, and advocates are calling on Congress to finally lower drug prices for all Americans. Americans pay three times more for their prescriptions than people in other countries, and millions are forced to make impossible choices between affording essential medications or putting food on the table or paying rent. This fall, Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take action by giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices. From Alaska to West Virginia, the following op-eds make clear that Americans of all walks of life are demanding relief from the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. The time to act is now.  

HEADLINES 

(AK) Al Gross, Doctor and Former U.S. Senate Candidate, in the Anchorage Daily News: There Is No Better Time Than Now for Prescription Drug Reform. “The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the inequities in our health system, and now more than ever, we must be working together to lower health-care costs for everyone so our society can rebound and businesses can grow. In particular, we should be focusing on and trying to help communities disproportionately impacted by the high cost of drugs: seniors, women of color and even children, as these groups are especially vulnerable to these skyrocketing costs.” [Anchorage Daily News, 6/7/21] 

(AZ) Iesha Meza, Phoenix Resident and Type 1 Diabetic, in the Arizona Mirror: Arizonans Like Me Are Fed Up With High Drug Prices, and It’s Time to Fix That. “Drug companies like to claim that high prices are necessary to offset the high costs of research and development, and that reforms would harm innovation and competitiveness: but Arizonans don’t buy it. Even amidst the pandemic, drug company profits continued to escalate. Further, as the country reckoned with a racial uprising last summer, it was revealed just how much this underlying price gouging particularly impacts BIPOC communities.” [Arizona Mirror, 8/24/21]

(FL) Janet Cruz, State Senator for District 18, in the Tampa Bay Times: It’s Time to Make Prescription Drugs More Affordable for Floridians. “This is an issue of right and wrong. It’s wrong that Americans often pay three or four times the cost for the same medicines as other countries, and big pharmaceutical companies are still making profits. It’s wrong that Americans have to choose between paying for food or rent, rather than their medicine. And it’s wrong that Americans need to make the life-threatening choice to ration insulin.” [Tampa Bay Times, 7/9/21] 

(ME) Sarah Lukianov, Bath Resident and Type 1 Diabetic, in the Bangor Daily News: Now Is The Time for Prescription Drug Reform From Congress. “It’s horrifying to know there are people like me who ration their medications to near-death or delay care because the costs are too high. Legislation like HR 3 would help change that reality for millions of people and federal reform is long overdue. With Biden’s support, we can get this done. Now is the time for Congress to take bold action and pass this bill.” [Bangor Daily News, 6/26/21] 

(OH) Dr. Geraldine Hayes Nelson, President of the Portage County NAACP, in the Record Courier: Congress Must Pass the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. “If you’ve had trouble paying for prescription medicine for yourself or family members — regardless if you are insured or not — you aren’t alone. Americans pay three times more for medications than people in other countries. As the cost of lifesaving medications like insulin skyrocket, Ohioans face impossible tradeoffs, like deciding whether to pay rent or to purchase the medications that keep them alive.” [Record Courier, 6/6/21]

(NH) Jayme H. Simões, Chair of Protect Our Care NH and Resident of Concord, in the New Hampshire Union Leader: Medicare Needs Power To Negotiate With Drug Makers. “I have met with New Hampshire residents who ration their medications or delay care because the costs are too high. Legislation such as H.R. 3 could change that reality for millions of people and reform is long overdue. Now is the time for Congress to take action and pass this bill.” [Union Leader, 6/14/21] 

(NJ) Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, Representing Mount Laurel, in the New Jersey Globe: It’s Time for Washington to Make Lowering Prescription Drug Costs a Priority. “The pandemic has been a wake up call and we need to get serious about how we approach public health and what our priorities are. If we are truly going to repair and rebuild, prescription drug costs must be lowered. Democrats are planning to include in their infrastructure deal a provision that will allow the federal government to negotiate prescription drug prices – taking a big step forward in lowering the cost of prescription drugs.” [New jersey Globe, 7/29/21] 

(PA) Meaghan Reid, Phoenixville Emergency Medicine Physician and Co-state Lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care in the Reporter: There Is No Better Time Than Now for Prescription Drug Reform. “So many of my patients would benefit from H.R.3 and the health and financial security it would afford them. Those personal benefits are evident in the polling around it: Insights from a Gallup survey show the American public supports the provisions in H.R.3 meant to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Separate polling conveys that 93% of respondents — Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike — support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.” [The Reporter, 7/28/21] 

(WV) Mindy Salango, Resident of Morgantown, in the Charleston Gazette-Mail: Prescription Drug Pricing Reform Needed Now. “I’m a Type 1 diabetic, and, even though I have health insurance, I still spend about $350 every month paying for my prescription medications, insulin and other diabetes supplies I need to stay healthy and alive. These high prices don’t have to be our reality. In April, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives reintroduced the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (HR.3), bold legislation to lower prescription drug costs for people like me. HR.3 would allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices on behalf of all Americans — not just those on Medicare.” [Charleston Gazette-Mail, 6/16/21] 

(WI) Anthony Short, Resident of Green Bay, in Up North News: Drug Costs Are Skyrocketing. Congress Must Step In. “No American should be forced to make decisions that harm their health due to the cost of prescription drugs. Right now, we know that too many do. Just three years ago, I had no other option than to ration insulin for weeks as I changed jobs, and health insurance provider…That is just one example of the terrible positions people are left in because of the cost of drugs. Simply put, without insurance, insulin and other drugs that millions of Americans rely on to survive are prohibitively expensive, even for those with a good job.” [Up North News, 7/20/21]

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