| WASHINGTON, D.C. — AARP and Patients For Affordable Drugs Now sent a letter calling on the Senate to pass the provisions to lower drug prices in the Build Back Better Act that were painstakingly negotiated earlier this year, and to reject any amendments that would weaken these provisions. “Reducing drug prices is not an afterthought for the American people: It is the single most popular element of the Build Back Better plan. Indeed, a recent independent survey showed overwhelming public support, with more than 8 out of 10 Americans, regardless of party, supporting this reform,” Nancy A. LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer at AARP, and David Mitchell, cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, say in the letter. “We urge you to pass the prescription drug pricing deal and firmly reject any efforts to weaken it.” 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. “If prices for other products rose at the same rate as prescription drugs [over the past 15 years], a gallon of milk would now cost $13, and a gallon of gas would cost $12.20,” the letter continues. “These kinds of price increases on other consumer goods would rightfully demand swift action, but seniors have been waiting decades for relief from out-of-control drug prices.” Read the full letter here and below. |
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Senate considers the Build Back Better Act, three patient advocates from across the country shared their stories about the impact of high insulin prices directly with the president and vice president. Iesha, from Phoenix, shared her story about living with type 1 diabetes and introduced President Biden today ahead of his remarks on how the Build Back Better Act will lower prescription drug prices. President Biden also mentioned Sa’Ra, from Indianapolis, who lives with type 1 diabetes and met with the president earlier today. The White House released a video of patient advocate Gail, from Denver, who spoke with President Biden over the summer and also spoke with Vice President Harris recently about the need to get the Build Back Better Act across the finish line. Below is more information about Iesha, Sa’Ra, and Gail. Iesha, from Phoenix, lives with type 1 diabetes. She was forced to ration her insulin because she could not afford it, until she ended up at the hospital in a diabetic coma. Iesha recovered but continues to live with worries that her circumstances could change at any moment. When she recently switched jobs, her copay for the same insulin jumped from $35 to $50 a month. The Build Back Better Act would provide her consistency and the knowledge that no matter what insurance she is on, her insulin copay will be $35 a month per prescription. |
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| “President Biden gets it. He has a plan,” Iesha said today in her introduction. “For me, President Biden’s Build Back Better Act would mean peace of mind. I know how fast our circumstances in life can change. In addition to my illness, I’m plagued with the fear that I may not be able to afford my insulin again. I want to see a future where young people like me don’t have our lives revolve around our prescription drugs and we don’t have to make career and life choices around insurance benefits. That’s why I’m so grateful for President Biden’s leadership on tackling the high costs of prescription drugs — particularly insulin.” Watch the president’s full remarks here. Sa’Ra, from Indianapolis, visited the White House today, and the president shared her story in his speech as well. Both Sa’Ra and her younger sister were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age. In college, they began sharing and rationing their insulin in order to be able to afford it. After rationing a dose one day in 2018, Sa’Ra’s sister entered diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially deadly complication of the illness. President Biden said, ”[Sa’Ra] told me that affording insulin has been the challenge of her and her family’s entire life.” The experience motivates Sa’Ra to fight for affordable insulin for people with diabetes so they can stop living in fear of high prices. Gail, a small business owner and patient advocate from Denver, met with President Biden over the summer to share her story of living with high drug prices and to discuss the president’s Build Back Better plan, which would allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Gail lives with type 1 diabetes and takes insulin produced by Novolog that is priced at over $280 per vial.  |
Today, the White House released this new video of a follow-up conversation she had with Vice President Kamala Haris.  “Having this included in the Build Back Better plan is absolutely a dream come true for so many, especially the $35 copay cap,” Gail told the vice president in the video. “Nobody should ever have to make the choice between feeding your kids or paying for your insulin. So having the Build Back Better plan really address it has just been a fabulous response to our needs. All three patients are available to speak with the press upon request. |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now today launched an ad thanking Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) for being a champion in the fight for lower drug prices and for her vote to pass the Build Back Better Act. The ad features a cancer patient named Jackie, whose cancer medication, Revlimid, is priced at over $20,000 every month.
“Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead,” Jackie says in the ad.
The ad responds to Rep. Underwood’s vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. Rep. Underwood has been a leader in pushing for meaningful drug price reforms to be included in the Build Back Better Act. Following the release of the White House’s Build Back Better framework, which did not include any drug price reforms, she signed a letter calling for the inclusion of reforms as an essential element in the legislation. Earlier this year, Rep. Underwood also signed onto a letter calling on President Biden to include drug pricing in the reconciliation package.
“On behalf of patients, we thank Rep. Underwood for fighting to ensure the inclusion of meaningful drug price reforms in the Build Back Better Act,” 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. “Her steadfast support for the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act was a key factor in the House passage of the bill that finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Ninety percent of voters support Medicare negotiation, and the reforms in Build Back Better will help millions of Americans.”
The ad will run as the Senate moves to take up the Build Back Better Act in December. The Build Back Better Act 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.
“Congresswoman Underwood just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for people in Illinois,” the ad running on digital platforms says. “She stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Underwood: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.”
Watch the ad here.
Full transcript of the ad below:
JACKIE: This is a four-week supply of my chemotherapy. It’s 20 pills, and it’s $20,000 every single month. Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead.
VO: Congresswoman Underwood just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for people in Illinois. She stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Underwood: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now today launched an ad thanking Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) for being a champion in the fight for lower drug prices and for her vote to pass the Build Back Better Act. The ad features a cancer patient named Jackie, whose cancer medication, Revlimid, is priced at over $20,000 every month. “Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead,” Jackie says in the ad. The ad responds to Rep. Craig’s vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. Rep. Craig has been a leader in pushing for meaningful drug price reforms to be included in the Build Back Better Act. Following the release of the White House’s Build Back Better framework, which did not include any drug price reforms, she led a letter calling for the inclusion of reforms as an essential element in the legislation. Earlier this year, Rep. Craig also signed onto a letter calling on President Biden to include drug pricing in the reconciliation package. “On behalf of patients, we thank Rep. Craig for fighting to ensure the inclusion of meaningful drug price reforms in the Build Back Better Act,” 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. “Her steadfast support for the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act was a key factor in the House passage of the bill that finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Ninety percent of voters support Medicare negotiation, and the reforms in Build Back Better will help millions of Americans.” The ad will run as the Senate moves to take up the Build Back Better Act in December. The Build Back Better Act 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. “Congresswoman Craig just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for Minnesotans,” the adrunning on digital platforms says. “She stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Craig: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.” Watch the ad here. Full transcript of the ad below: JACKIE: This is a four-week supply of my chemotherapy. It’s 20 pills, and it’s $20,000 every single month. Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead. VO: Congresswoman Craig just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for Minnesotans. She stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Craig: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans. |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now today launched an ad thanking Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) for being a champion in the fight for lower drug prices and for his vote to pass the Build Back Better Act. The ad features a cancer patient named Jackie, whose cancer medication, Revlimid, is priced at over $20,000 every month.
“Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead,” Jackie says in the ad.
The ad responds to Rep. Pappas’ vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. Rep. Pappas has been a leader in pushing for meaningful drug price reforms to be included in the Build Back Better Act. Following the release of the White House’s Build Back Better framework, which did not include any drug price reforms, he signed a letter calling for the inclusion of reforms as an essential element in the legislation. Earlier in the year, Rep. Pappas also signed onto a letter calling on President Biden to include drug pricing in the reconciliation package.
“On behalf of patients, we thank Rep. Pappas for fighting to ensure the inclusion of meaningful drug price reforms in the Build Back Better Act,” 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. “His steadfast support for the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act was a key factor in the House passage of the bill that finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Ninety percent of voters support Medicare negotiation, and the reforms in Build Back Better will help millions of Americans.”
The ad will run as the Senate moves to take up the Build Back Better Act in December. The Build Back Better Act 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.
“Congressman Pappas just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for people in New Hampshire,” the ad running on digital platforms says. “He stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Pappas: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.”
Watch the ad here.
Full transcript of the ad below:
JACKIE: This is a four-week supply of my chemotherapy. It’s 20 pills, and it’s $20,000 every single month. Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead.
VO: Congressman Pappas just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for people in New Hampshire. He stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Pappas: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now today launched an ad thanking Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32) for being a champion in the fight for lower drug prices and for his vote to pass the Build Back Better Act. The ad features a cancer patient named Jackie, whose cancer medication, Revlimid, is priced at over $20,000 every month. “Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead,” Jackie says in the ad. The ad responds to Rep. Allred’s vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. Rep. Allred has been a leader in pushing for meaningful drug price reform to be included in the Build Back Better Act. Following the release of the White House’s Build Back Better framework, which did not include any drug price reforms, he signed a letter calling for the inclusion of reforms as an essential element in the legislation. Earlier this year, Rep. Allred also penned an op-ed highlighting the importance of lowering drug prices for Americans and signed onto a letter calling on President Biden to include drug pricing in the reconciliation package. “On behalf of patients, we thank Rep. Allred for fighting to ensure the inclusion of meaningful drug price reforms in the Build Back Better Act,” 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. “His steadfast support for the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act was a key factor in the House passage of the bill that finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Ninety percent of voters support Medicare negotiation, and the reforms in Build Back Better will help millions of Americans.” The ad will run as the Senate moves to take up the Build Back Better Act in December. The Build Back Better Act 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. “Congressman Allred just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for Texans,” the ad running on digital platforms says. “He stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Allred: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.” Watch the ad here. Full transcript of the ad below: JACKIE: This is a four-week supply of my chemotherapy. It’s 20 pills, and it’s $20,000 every single month. Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead. VO: Congressman Allred just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for Texans. He stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Allred: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans. |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now today launched an ad thanking Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03) for being a champion in the fight for lower drug prices and for his vote to pass the Build Back Better Act. The ad features a cancer patient named Jackie, whose cancer medication, Revlimid, is priced at over $20,000 every month.
“Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead,” Jackie says in the ad.
The ad responds to Rep. Kim’s vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. Despite repeatedattacksfrom Big Pharma, Rep. Kim stood strong as a leader in pushing for meaningful drug price reforms to be included in the Build Back Better Act. Following the release of the White House’s Build Back Better framework, which did notinclude any drug price reforms, he signed a letter calling for the inclusion of reforms as an essential element in the legislation. Earlier this year, Rep. Kim also penned an op-ed highlighting the importance of lowering drug prices for Americans.
“On behalf of patients, we thank Rep. Kim for fighting to ensure the inclusion of meaningful drug price reforms in the Build Back Better Act,” 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. “His steadfast support for the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act was a key factor in the House passage of the bill that finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Ninety percent of voters support Medicare negotiation, and the reforms in Build Back Better will help millions of Americans.”
The ad will run as the Senate moves to take up the Build Back Better Act in December. The Build Back Better Act 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.
“Congressman Kim just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for New Jerseyans,” the adrunning on digital platforms says. “He stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Kim: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.”
Watch the ad here.
Full transcript of the ad below:
JACKIE: This is a four-week supply of my chemotherapy. It’s 20 pills, and it’s $20,000 every single month. Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead.
VO: Congressman Kim just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for New Jerseyans. He stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Kim: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now today launched new ads that will run in six frontline House districts thanking Reps. Colin Allred(TX-32), Angie Craig (MN-02), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Susan Wild (PA-07) for being champions in the fight for lower drug prices for Americans and for their votes to pass the Build Back Better Act. The ads feature a cancer patient named Jackie, whose cancer medication, Revlimid, is priced at over $20,000 every month.
“Millions of people like me are struggling. It’s time for our leaders to lead,” Jackie says in the ads.
The ads respond to the six representatives’ votes in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19. These members of Congress have been leaders in pushing for meaningful drug price reforms, including Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices for their constituents. Following the release of the White House’s Build Back Better framework, which did not include drug price reform, these frontline Democrats signed a letter, led by Rep. Craig, calling for the inclusion of reforms as an essential element in the Build Back Better Act. Throughout the year, these representatives also pennedop-edshighlighting the importance of lowering drug prices for Americans, and some signed onto a letter, led by Rep. Wild, calling on President Biden to include drug pricing in the Build Back Better Act.
“On behalf of patients all across this country, we thank Reps. Allred, Craig, Kim, Pappas, Underwood, and Wild for fighting to ensure the inclusion of meaningful drug price reforms in the Build Back Better Act,” 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. “Their steadfast support for the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act was a key factor in House passage of the bill that finally allows Medicare to negotiate lower prices. Ninety percent of voters support Medicare negotiation, and the reforms in Build Back Better will help millions of Americans.”
The ads will run as the Senate moves to take up the Build Back Better Act in December. The Build Back Better Act 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.
“Congresswoman Wild just voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, which for the first time lets Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for Pennsylvanians,” the ad running in Pennsylvania’s seventh district says. “She stood up to Big Pharma attacks and did the right thing for patients. Tell Representative Wild: Thank you for voting to lower drug prices for millions of Americans.”
Watch the TX-32 ad here.
Watch the MN-02 ad here.
Watch the NJ-03 ad here.
Watch the NH-01 ad here.
Watch the IL-14 ad here.
Watch the PA-07 ad here.
Last week, Patients For Affordable Drugs Now announced a campaign highlighting Senator Manchin’s support for Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices for West Virginians and calling on the senator to get the job done by voting for the Build Back Better Act. The organization is also running a campaign, including this ad, in Arizona urging Senator Sinema to support drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act. View all ads here.
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