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SAINT PAUL, MN — A Minnesotan hurt by skyrocketing drug prices will share his story at the state house today as he testifies before the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division Committee in support of HF 3228, a bill that would allow the state to investigate and address excessive drug costs.
Travis Paulson lives with type 1 diabetes and will explain to the committee how the rising price of insulin forced him to ration his medication, severely impacting his health. Paulson knows he is not alone and is testifying to encourage the legislature to take action on behalf of all Minnesota patients suffering under the crushing cost of insulin and other prescription drugs.
“By the time I was 30… my insulin cost $300 a vial; for me, that was $1,500 a month to survive… My health is what ultimately paid the price… years of rationing insulin has caused long-term complications that never would have occurred if I had access to affordable insulin,” Paulson will testify. “…We cannot allow Big Pharma to get away with pricing drugs out of reach for our families. I strongly urge everyone in this room to support HF 3228.”
To help patients across Minnesota, Paulson will ask lawmakers to support HF 3228, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act. The bill would:
Paulson will testify at 9:45 AM CT today before the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division Committee.
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WASHINGTON, DC — Georgia Patient Advocates visited their members of Congress this week to share their experiences with high drug prices and urge their elected officials to support bipartisan legislation that would provide relief from skyrocketing drug prices. Nearly one in three Americans report not taking their prescription drugs due to costs. This is why the patient advocates asked Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue to stand with patients and President Trump in support of the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act (S. 2543). The bill would stop drug company price gouging and cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
“Georgia’s senators have a real opportunity to stand up for patients and lower drug prices,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Their support for one of the President’s top priorities would make a difference for thousands of Georgia residents and millions of Americans struggling with unrestrained prescription drug price hikes.”
Patricia McKenzie, 65, Atlanta, diabetes: “I’ve paid more than $1,300 per month for my insulin and diabetes supplies. It has meant I have to cut back on things I love to do and that I have trouble affording the healthy food I need to help manage my diabetes.”
Donna Renfroe, 58, Atlanta, acid reflux and high cholesterol: “I am a patient who will continue to face the life-altering symptoms of my conditions, and I wish I could afford the medicines that made my quality of life so much better.”
Maria Sanchez, 61, Atlanta, diabetes: “In order to be able to pay for all of my medication I often skip out on buying my diabetic strips. I only check my blood sugar in the morning, which can be very dangerous to my health.”
Scarlett Woodard, 57, Albany, multiple sclerosis: “If I were able to afford Lyrica, I would enjoy the taste of food and be able to smile again.”
Patients For Affordable Drugs Now is a bipartisan 501(c)(4) national patient organization focused exclusively on policies to lower drug prices. To maintain its independence, the group does not accept donations from organizations that profit from the development and distribution of prescription drugs.
Earlier this week, the organization announced a multi-million dollar campaign calling on the Senate to stand with patients and the President to pass the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act (S. 2543). As part of the campaign set to run until late May, Patients For Affordable Drugs Now will release TV, radio, and digital advertisements nationally and in key states that demonstrate the toll high prescription drug prices are taking on everyday Americans.