***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021***
TODAY: Protect Our Care to Host Events in WV, OH, GA, ME with Elected Officials and Health Care Advocates Calling for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
Washington, DC — On Thursday, May 6, 2021 elected officials and local advocates will join Protect Our Care in West Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, and Maine for virtual press conferences to call on Congress to take action to lower prescription drug costs for Americans. For too long the system has been rigged in favor of drug companies, and it’s time to put patients, not profits, first. Lowering prescription drug costs remains a priority for West Virginians, Ohioans, Georgians, Mainers, and patients across the country.
New polling shows that after addressing COVID-19, the top issue for voters is lowering health and drug costs, and 93% support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. In 2019, House Democrats passed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), bold legislation to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs — the single most effective measure to bring down drug prices. In April, House Democrats reintroduced this legislation, giving Congress another opportunity to lower prescription drug costs, and meet the demands of voters.
THURSDAY EVENTS
WEST VIRGINIA
WHO:
West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare
West Virginia Citizen Action Group
National Association of Social Workers WV
Protect Our Care WV
Mindy Salango, Type 1 diabetic who struggles to afford her insulin
Rusty Williams, cancer survivor who struggles with cost of medications
WHAT: West Virginians Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
WHERE: Register for the Event Here
WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 9:30 AM ET
OHIO
WHO:
State Rep. Allison Russo
John Kennedy, Insulin for All Ohio
Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, health care advocate
WHAT: Ohio Leaders and Advocates to Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
WHERE: Register for the Event Here
WHEN: Thursday, May 6 at 11:00 AM ET
GEORGIA
WHO:
State Rep. Matthew Wilson
Whitney Griggs, Georgians for a Healthy Future
Nedra Fortson, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, MBA, RN, Nurse Practitioner
Himali Patel, small business owner reliant on life-saving prescription drugs
WHAT: Representative Matthew Wilson, Protect Our Care Georgia, and Advocates Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event
WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 11:00 AM ET
MAINE
WHO:
Senate President Troy Jackson
Greg Marley, LCSW, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine
Marie Follayttar, Mainers for Accountable Leadership
WHAT: Press Call to Call for Congressional Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
WHERE: Dial-in: 877-229-8493; Pin: 114927
WHEN: Thursday, May 6 at 11:00 AM ET