Over $400 a pill.

My name is Lori Horner, I am 57 years old, and I fight my cancer every day.

I was initially diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia on April 4, 2017 –– that’s the day my life changed forever.  It came as a total shock to me and my family. I believed this was my death sentence. I began my treatment, and within three weeks I received my chemo pills. When I saw my bill, I was utterly shocked. It was $13,000 for just one month’s supply! This is a medication that costs over $400 a pill and that I have to take every day for the rest of my life. No if, ands, or buts about it.

I am currently on both Medicare and Medicaid, but not for long. Once I hit 65, I will lose my Medicaid benefits, and I don’t know how I will continue to manage my health. I often joke with my friends that I must own share in a yacht somewhere with the amount of money I’ve put in Big Pharma’s pockets. It is almost criminal.

My biggest fear is that I will end up in hospice because there is no way I can afford this. Eventually, my treatment will have to stop and I will just pass away. I have prepared myself for this heartbreaking reality –– but I shouldn’t have to. This shouldn’t be the reality for patients.

I’m more than angry over this. It is ridiculous that patients like me have to go through this on top of our physical symptoms. Our elected officials must act. Lives are literally at risk. We must do better by American patients.