ICYMI: Roundup Of Overwhelming Momentum To Advance Comprehensive Drug Pricing Reforms By Memorial Day
70 Organizations Continue “Push For Lower Rx Prices”
Members Of Congress And President Biden Push For Lower Rx Prices
Senate Outreach And Digital Blitz
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania and David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, penned an op-ed in The Hill that calls on Congress to pass the comprehensive drug pricing reforms now before the Senate that include Medicare negotiation. The piece is in response to the House of Representatives passing a bill to cap monthly insulin copays for the second time — once in the comprehensive package last fall and again as standalone legislation. The piece explains that there is a clear path forward to enact historic and comprehensive reforms that bring relief to all patients — including those dependent on insulin — and save money for consumers and taxpayers, and calls on the Senate to get it done. Read the full piece here and below. |
| By Rep. Susan Wild and David Mitchell April 8, 2022 We are facing an historic opportunity in Congress to finally reform our rigged prescription drug pricing system that has forced Americans to pay almost four times what other nations pay for the same drugs and has left one out of four patients unable to afford the medications they need. Last fall, one of us, Rep. Susan Wild, voted to pass comprehensive drug pricing reforms that would help millions of Americans afford expensive medications. The other one of us, David Mitchell, is a patient who would benefit directly from the legislation. Right now, the Senate could follow the House of Representatives’ lead and pass the comprehensive reforms to deliver relief to all Americans with high drug prices. These historic reforms already have the necessary support to pass in the Senate – a clear path through reconciliation. But the Senate is dragging its feet on reconciliation, instead focusing on passing just one component of the broad package: capping monthly insulin copays. Meanwhile, Rep. Wild and her colleagues in the House have now passed the insulin provision twice — once in the comprehensive package last Fall and again last week as standalone legislation. To be very clear, it is beyond question that we need to provide relief to people who rely on insulin — the price of which skyrocketed 300 percent over a recent ten year period. But addressing high insulin prices is already included in the broader drug pricing package passed by the House of Representatives and now before the Senate. And there are millions of patients who rely on other expensive drugs who would benefit from the reforms in the whole package. David, for example, lives with the incurable cancer, multiple myeloma. The list prices of the four cancer drugs keeping him alive total $935,000 annually. Just one of those drugs will cost more than $16,000 out-of-pocket this year. And he is far from alone. The scope of the problem is enormous: More than 131 million people — 66 percent of all adults in the United States — use prescription drugs. More than 25 percent of American voters said they or a family member had financial difficulty affording a prescribed medication in the last 12 months. More than half of cancer patients report going into debt because of the price of their care, with chemotherapy and pharmacy drugs cited among the top reasons for that debt. One out of four people with diabetes reports rationing insulin due to cost. For patients with multiple sclerosis, the annual median price for brand name MS medications has increased almost 300 percent from $34,000 to $94,000 in less than 10 years. The comprehensive drug pricing reforms would deliver relief to all Americans who are struggling by – for the first time – authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices directly for some of the most expensive prescription medicines; instituting a hard cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for millions of Medicare beneficiaries and people who are insulin dependent; and limiting annual price increases for prescription drugs to no more than the rate of inflation. To put this into perspective, if Congress succeeds in passing the drug pricing reforms, David would save more than $14,000 per year beginning in 2024, plus savings on premiums. It would restrain prices and save money for hundreds of millions of Americans. We have the votes in the Senate to pass comprehensive legislation to help all of these people. In fact, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is a key player in fashioning a reconciliation package and supports one that will reform taxes, fight climate change and lower prices of prescription drugs, including allowing Medicare to negotiate. And voters, who are feeling the impact of inflation, are united in supporting these reforms. More than 4 out of 5 Americans agree that Medicare should have the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. And 9 out of 10 voters agree that allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices is a top reason to pass the reconciliation bill. There is a clear path forward to pass historic and comprehensive reforms that bring relief to all patients – including those dependent on insulin – and save Susan Wild represents Pennsylvania’s 7th District and David Mitchell is founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs Now (P4ADNow). |
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Senate convenes for the new year, AARP and Patients For Affordable Drugs Now sent a letter demanding senators deliver the landmark prescription drug pricing reforms already negotiated with both houses of Congress. “As negotiations around the reconciliation package continue, we want to again emphasize the historic opportunity to enact crucial provisions to lower prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket costs for millions of older Americans and their families,” 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. “As adjustments to the package are considered in the coming weeks, the promise of lower prescription drug prices remains a cornerstone priority for voters of all ages, and the Senate must seize the opportunity to enact the previously negotiated provisions on drug pricing.” The drug pricing legislation 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. “For any lawmaker concerned about inflation, lowering drug prices should be the first item on the agenda,” the letter continues, acknowledging that inflation is a kitchen table concern right now and impacting the wallets of every American family. “Let us be clear: now is the time. Patients and seniors cannot wait any longer and are demanding immediate action.” Read the full letter here and below. |
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a new radio ad today as part of its campaign in West Virginia highlighting Senator Joe Manchin’s strong support for Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices and asking him to help pass the Build Back Better Act by the end of the year. The campaign includes a new 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 pass the Build Back Better Act, including the current provisions that will lower drug prices for West Virginians. “In a time when Americans are facing higher prices for everything, we are very grateful that Senator Manchin is taking on astronomical drug prices by championing direct Medicare negotiation to lower prescription drug costs for people in West Virginia and across the nation,” 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 need Senator Manchin’s help to rein in prices of prescription drugs by passing the Build Back Better Act this year.” The ad launches following the release of drug price provisions from Senate committees on Saturday and the passage of the Build Back Better Act out of the House of Representatives last month. The Build Back Better Act includes 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, “Senator Manchin supports Medicare negotiation – and to get it done, we’re counting on him to pass the Build Back Better Act before the end of the year. West Virginia patients can’t wait any longer.” Listen to the full radio ad here. All of P4ADNow’s recent ads can be viewed here. |
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a new ad today in Arizona as part of its campaign urging Senator Kyrsten Sinema to vote for the Build Back Better Act to lower prescription drug prices. The 30-second video ad features two Arizona patients, Phoenix advocate Iesha Meza and Tucson advocate Brenda Dickason. In addition, the campaign includes digital ads and grassroots advocacy, in which patients write and call the senator and ask her to vote in favor of the Build Back Better Act and ensure the current drug price provisions remain strong. The ad opens with Iesha, who depends on insulin to manage her type 1 diabetes. “Millions of Americans can’t afford the medicines they need to survive,” Iesha says. “I had to ration my insulin, and it almost killed me.” Brenda, a small business owner and former police detective and teacher who lives with asthma and severe allergies, then says, “I devoted my life to serving my community as a police detective and teacher. I had to start a small business, and I still can’t afford all of my prescriptions.” “During negotiations earlier this year, Senator Sinema agreed to the drug price provisions in the Build Back Better Act, and Americans are counting on her to follow through,” 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. “9 out of 10 Arizona voters support allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices — the Build Back Better Act is Senator Sinema’s chance to deliver on her commitment and provide relief to seniors and patients who have been waiting for these reforms.” The ad launches following the release of drug price provisions from Senate committees on Saturday and the passage of the Build Back Better Act out of the House of Representatives last month. The Build Back Better Act includes 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. “There’s a plan in Congress to let Medicare negotiate lower drug prices – Senator Sinema says she supports it,” the new ad concludes. “To get it done, she needs to vote for the Build Back Better Act now. Arizonans can’t afford to wait any longer.” Watch the full ad here. All recent P4ADNow ads can be found here. |
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| 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. — As Congress continues to consider the Build Back Better Act, AARP and Patients For Affordable Drugs Now sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives today urging them to support the hard-fought agreement to lower drug prices included in the Build Back Better Act. The letter enumerates the key elements of the prescription drug framework, which will lower prices, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs for patients and older Americans. The provisions were added back into the Build Back Better Act after hundreds of thousands of people called and emailed Congress telling members “to stand with us and not the drug companies.” The letter urges representatives to vote yes this week on the Build Back Better Act to lower drug prices for patients. “The agreement reached on drug prices will finally start to reverse policies that have left patients and consumers at the mercy of drug corporations and forced Americans to pay three times what other wealthy nations pay for the same medicines,” 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. “This package represents a hard-fought compromise, and we call on all members of Congress to strongly reject any efforts to weaken the deal.” Medicare negotiation is the single most popular element of the Build Back Better plan, with support from 90 percent of Americans. Read the full letter here and below. |
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