WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a campaign in West Virginia today highlighting Senator Joe Manchin’s commitment to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for West Virginians, emphasizing that the policy is a key feature of the Build Back Better Act, and asking for his support. The campaign includes a 60-second radio ad, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy, in which patients write and call the senator directly thanking him for supporting Medicare negotiation and asking him to get the job done by passing the Build Back Better Act, including the current provisions that lower drug prices for patients.

“Senator Manchin has been an outspoken champion on Medicare negotiation to lower prescription drug prices for West Virginians. The Build Back Better Act, which includes historic drug price reforms, requires his support to deliver the lower prices West Virginians need,” said David Mitchell, a patient with incurable blood cancer whose drugs carry a list price of more than $900,000 per year and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “We know that Big Pharma will be fighting hard to block this reform, and we are counting on Senator Manchin to stand up to the drug corporations and vote yes for the Build Back Better Act.” 

The ad launches following the passage of the Build Back Better Act out of the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. The Build Back Better Act includes drug pricing legislation that will, for the first time, authorize Medicare to negotiate prices directly for some of the most expensive prescription medicines, including insulin; institute a hard cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries; and limit annual price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations. 

“It makes no sense at all that we don’t go out and negotiate. The VA does a tremendous job. Medicaid does it. Why doesn’t Medicare?” Senator Manchin says in the radio ad. The voiceover adds, “West Virginians know Joe Manchin does what’s best for our state. He supports Medicare negotiation, and we’re counting on him to support the Build Back Better Act.” 

Listen to the full radio ad here.

All of P4ADNow’s recent ads can be viewed here.

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