“Let’s Let Medicare Negotiate The Price Of Prescription Drugs”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued by David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, following the president’s State of the Union address:
“Tonight, President Biden once again called for legislation to lower prescription drug prices, including Medicare negotiation. For two decades, Americans have been targeted by drug companies that established a system that prevents our government from negotiating on our behalf. It is imperative that the Senate pass a package of reforms that will couple copay and out-of-pocket caps with provisions that drive down prices by empowering Medicare to negotiate lower prices and limiting year-to-year price increases to truly lower costs — not just shift them around. Otherwise, Americans will wind up paying more through higher premiums and taxes.
“With inflation at record levels and Americans facing rising costs, Big Pharma’s price gouging forces Americans to pay almost four times what people in other nations pay for the same brand-name drugs. The drug price reforms from the House-passed Build Back Better package allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices, curb Big Pharma’s price gouging, cap out-of-pocket costs, and deliver long overdue relief to millions of Americans. The reforms have the support of all 50 Democratic senators, offering a clear path to passage through reconciliation. The provisions are the most popular element of the original package, and more than 90 percent of voters list drug pricing reform as a top issue for the midterms.
“It is time for the Senate to advance a reconciliation package with these drug price reforms. Americans need help now.”
Background:
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and Secretary Xavier Becerra today highlighted how the drug pricing reforms in the Build Back Better Act will help millions of Americans afford their medicines. On behalf of patients, David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, issued the following statement:
“President Biden, Secretary Becerra, and Rep. Spanberger know that high prescription drug prices affect every American family and are a serious burden for millions each day. Patients are making impossible decisions between filling prescriptions or buying groceries, cutting pills in half or paying rent. Just last month — in spite of healthy and, in some cases, record revenues — Big Pharma raised the prices of nearly 750 medications that patients depend on. Because of the unjustified and unchecked prices of brand-name drug companies, Americans have less money in their pockets to cover other essential everyday expenses.
“Rep. Spanberger knows this issue is ‘top of mind’ for her constituents. President Biden understands how this issue affects American families. The drug pricing reforms in the Build Back Better Act will put a stop to price gouging, lower prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies, and cap out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries and millions of people who depend on insulin.
“President Biden, Democrats in the House, and all 50 Democrats in the Senate support these reforms. It’s past time to get it done.”
Background:
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Groups Representing Patients, Consumers, Seniors, Unions, Small Businesses, Large Employers, And Physicians And Disease Advocacy Groups Align On Rx Reforms In BBB Act
| WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Senate considers the terms of a reconfigured reconciliation package, 91 organizations representing patients, consumers, seniors, unions, small businesses, large employers, and physicians and disease advocacy groups sent a letter to all 50 Senate Democrats urging them to take immediate action to advance a reconciliation package that includes the reforms to lower prescription drug prices in the Build Back Better Act. “These drug pricing reforms are not controversial for the people of America; they are the most popular element of BBB. Over 80 percent of Americans support them — Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike,” 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. “The provisions before the Senate will help restore balance to ensure patients get the innovation they need at prices they can afford. All 50 Senate Democrats support the legislation; this is Congress’ chance to deliver on years of promises. This opportunity won’t come again soon.” “Millions of AARP members have told us they are sick of Big Pharma ripping them off by charging three times more for medicines in the U.S.,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer at AARP. “Congress has an historic opportunity to finally bring down the price of prescription drugs and help address the impacts of inflation. Voters are watching, and they are tired of waiting for Congress to act.” Just last week, 40 House Democrats sent a letter to congressional leadership calling on their colleagues to lower drug prices by passing the drug pricing reforms already agreed to in the Build Back Better Act. The drug price provisions under consideration 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 copays on insulin for millions of Americans to $35 each month; and limit annual price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations. “If Congress lets the pharmaceutical industry overcharge Americans and dictate astronomical prices for brand-name drugs in our country, then patients, workers, employers, and taxpayers will continue to shoulder the burden of prices that are nearly three times what people in other comparable nations pay,” the letter reads. “These reforms are long overdue. We urge swift action. Now is the time to get the job done.” Read the full letter and list of signers here and below. |
| February 7, 2022 Dear Senator, On behalf of more than 90 organizations representing patients, consumers, seniors, unions, small businesses, large employers, physicians, and disease advocacy groups, we urge the Senate to immediately advance a reconciliation package that includes the reforms to lower prescription drug prices agreed to in the Build Back Better Act. Rising prices are a top concern for American families and employers. Even as we approach the third year of a pandemic, drug companies began the new year by hiking the prices of almost 750 life-saving and life-sustaining medications, undeterred by the financial hardship and health challenges facing Americans today. If Congress lets the pharmaceutical industry overcharge Americans and dictate astronomical prices for brand-name drugs in our country, then patients, workers, employers, and taxpayers will continue to shoulder the burden of prices that are nearly three times what people in other comparable nations pay. Congress has repeatedly promised to address this problem, and the American people need the help now more than ever. Right now, you have a time-limited opportunity to deliver relief to millions of Americans by permitting Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices, capping copays and out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries, and limiting annual price increases on life-saving and life-sustaining drugs to the rate of inflation for all Americans. More than 80 percent of Americans support these reforms — Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike. They are the most popular element of the Build Back Better Act. In the face of slim margins in the Senate, the current path to pass all of these critical reforms is through reconciliation. These reforms already have the support of all 50 Senate Democrats. Congress can pass these drug pricing reforms in short order and move the nation in a new direction, providing savings to patients, taxpayers, workers, employers, and the federal and state governments. Enacting the drug price reforms agreed upon in the Build Back Better package will mark a truly historic shift in U.S. drug pricing policy. Not only will it break the pharmaceutical industry’s unilateral power to dictate prices to the American people, it will save lives, improve health, fight inflation, and put more money back into the pockets of American seniors, workers, and businesses. These reforms are long overdue. We urge swift action. Now is the time to get the job done. Signed: AARP AFL-CIO AFSCME Alliance for Retired Americans American Academy of Neurology American Federation of Teachers American Medical Student Association Americans for Democratic Action, Southern California Be a Hero Blue Shield of California Centennial State Prosperity Center for American Progress Center for Medicare Advocacy Center for Popular Democracy Citizen Action of Wisconsin Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Communications Workers of America (CWA) Community Catalyst Consumer Action COVID Survivors for Change Doctors for America Economic Alliance for Michigan Families USA Florida #insulin4all Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value Generation Patient Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health Health Access California Health Action New Mexico Health Care For All Massachusetts Health Care Voices Health Care Voter Honest Arizona Houston Business Coalition on Health Indivisible Initiative for Medicines, Access, & Knowledge (I-MAK) Insulin For Life International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers International Brotherhood of Teamsters International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action Justice in Aging Kentuckiana Health Collaborative Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) KS Business Group on Health Lehigh Valley Business Coalition on Healthcare (LVBCH) Little Lobbyists Lower Drug Prices Now (LDPN) Main Street Alliance Maine Consumers for Affordable Health Care Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative Massachusetts #insulin4all Chapter Medicare Rights Center Metro New York Health Care for All Midwest Business Group on Health MomsRising Montana Association of Health Care Purchasers National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare National Education Association National Multiple Sclerosis Society Nevada Business Group on Health New Jersey Citizen Action North Carolina Business Group on Health Our Revolution Patients For Affordable Drugs Now Pennsylvania Health Access Network People’s Action Pittsburgh Business Group on Health PrEP4All Prescription Justice Progressive Democrats of America Protect Our Care Public Citizen Purchaser Business Group on Health Rhode Island Business Group on Health Salud y Fármacos SEIU Silicon Valley Employers Forum Social Security Works T1International TakeAction Minnesota Tennessee Health Care Campaign The Alliance (WI, IL and IA) UnidosUS Action Fund UNITE HERE United Mine Workers of America United States of Care Washington Health Alliance WellOK – The Northeastern Oklahoma Business Coalition West Health Institute Cc: The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives |
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“No More Excuses. Let Medicare Negotiate. Now.”
| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now released a new video featuring patients from across the country demanding that Congress follow through on promises to lower drug prices by passing the reforms in the Build Back Better Act. The two-minute video, titled “Patient Voices From Across America: A Message To Congress,” features 11 patient advocates who explain the personal impact of high drug prices and why Congress must move forward with the drug pricing reforms that will deliver relief to patients like them. “Now Congress is finally poised to let Medicare negotiate,” Kris, a patient from Denver who lives with four bleeding disorders, including hemophilia, says in the video. “It’s the most popular feature of the Build Back Better Act. More than 80 percent of Americans support it,” Marcus, from Cincinnati, who lives with type 1 diabetes, continues. Therese, from Ogden Dunes, Indiana, who lives with multiple sclerosis, adds, “We need Congress to finally stand up to the big drug companies and get it done.” Jacquie, from Waterloo, Iowa, who lives with Crohn’s disease, concludes, “We’ve never been closer. Don’t let this moment slip away.” The drug price provisions currently under consideration by the Senate 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 on insulin copays for millions of patients; and limit annual drug price increases to stop price gouging by drug corporations. The final image of the video reads, “Stop Price Gouging. Lower Out-Of-Pocket. Let Medicare Negotiate. Now.” P4ADNow started off the year by releasing two ads, one in Washington, D.C., and one in West Virginia, calling on members of Congress to pass a reconciliation package including the already negotiated drug pricing reforms from the Build Back Better Act. P4ADNow also sent a joint letter with AARP emphasizing that the Senate must pass the landmark drug pricing reforms. A new report from P4AD takes a closer look at the drug industry’s price hikes and its impact on patients, underscoring the urgent need for Congress to act. Read the video transcript below and watch the full video here. Patients are available to speak with press upon request. |
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| TRANSCRIPT: Eighteen years ago, pharma won a sweetheart deal that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices. – Jacquie Persson As a result, we’re paying almost four times what other nations pay for the same brand-name drugs. – Kami Guiden I’ve had to ration my drugs and go without because the price is so high. No American should have to do that. – Iesha Meza Now Congress is finally poised to let Medicare negotiate, but the only way to pass it is with 50 votes through reconciliation. – Kris Garcia We’re so close. – Clayton McCook It’s the most popular feature of the Build Back Better Act. More than 80 percent of Americans support it. – Marcus LaCour Any reconciliation deal must include it. – Kris Garcia Lily will need insulin for the rest of her life. We need the reforms in Build Back Better to cap insulin copays for millions of people with diabetes. – Clayton McCook I’m on Medicare, and capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 will help me and millions of other patients. – Maureen Iten Pharma jacks up prices every year. Limiting price increases to the rate of inflation would really help me. – Meg Jackson-Drage Congress has talked and talked. Now’s the time to get it done. – Lauren Stanford The votes are there. It can happen. The only thing in the way is opposition from Big Pharma. – Sheldon Armus We need Congress to finally stand up to the big drug companies and get it done. – Therese Ball Drug price reform must be included in any reconciliation package. – Iesha Meza No more excuses. – Maureen Iten No more political games. – Clayton McCook Stop price gouging, lower out-of-pocket, and let Medicare negotiate. – Kami Guiden We’ve never been closer. Don’t let this moment slip away. – Jacquie Persson |
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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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TV Ad Features Three Patient Advocates: “Americans Can’t Wait Any Longer”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a new video ad today calling on Congress to include the previously negotiated reforms that lower drug prices in any final reconciliation package. The 30-second video ad is running in Washington, D.C., and features three patient advocates: Therese Ball of Indiana, Kris Garcia of Colorado, and Iesha Meza of Arizona. In addition, the campaign includes digital static ads in D.C. as well as grassroots advocacy in key states, where patients call their senators and ask for their support on the current drug price provisions.
The video ad opens with Therese, who lives with multiple sclerosis. “The medications I need to live are priced at over $7,000 every month,” she says. “Millions of Americans can’t afford the medicines they need to survive,” continues Iesha, who lives with type 1 diabetes and depends on insulin. Kris, who lives with multiple bleeding disorders, including hemophilia, adds, “Congress needs to let Medicare negotiate lower drug prices for us.”
“The landmark drug price provisions negotiated painstakingly over several months and included in the Build Back Better plan remain the top priority for Americans and are overwhelmingly supported by more than 80 percent of voters – Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike,” 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. “This legislation will save lives, lower prices, and fight inflation by holding the line on premiums and health care costs for patients, employers, employees, and taxpayers. Failure is not an option – we need Congress to pass these historic reforms in any reconciliation package that is finally agreed to.”
The ads launch as the Senate reconvenes to continue negotiations around the reconciliation package. The drug price provisions under consideration 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.
“Any reconciliation package must include reforms that lower drug prices,” the video ad concludes. “Americans can’t wait any longer.”
Watch the full ad here and view the digital ads below.
P4ADNow also launched a new radio ad today in West Virginia calling on Senator Manchin to support the reconciliation package to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. All recent P4ADNow ads can be found here.
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“We Need Senator Manchin’s Support. His Vote Will Make The Difference For West Virginians. Please, Senator Manchin, Don’t Let This Moment Slip Away”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a new radio ad today as part of its ongoing campaign in West Virginia. The ad highlights Senator Joe Manchin’s opportunity to deliver on his strong support for Medicare negotiation to lower drug prices for West Virginians by swiftly passing a reconciliation package that includes strong drug price reforms. The campaign includes a new 60-second radio ad and grassroots advocacy, in which patients call the senator directly thanking him for supporting Medicare negotiation and asking him to support the reconciliation package, including the current provisions that will lower drug prices for West Virginians.
“Patients have been waiting nearly 20 years for Medicare to be allowed to negotiate lower prices on their behalf. Right now, we are closer than we have ever been to closing a deal that would be historic in lowering drug prices for West Virginians and all Americans,” 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. “Big Pharma is doing everything in its power to block this from happening, and we need Senator Manchin’s support for a reconciliation package that includes provisions allowing Medicare to negotiate. Patients have waited too long; we can’t let this moment slip away.”
The ad launches as the Senate reconvenes and continues negotiations around the reconciliation package. The drug price provisions under consideration 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, “We’ve never been so close. The plan in Congress could pass right now. But we need Senator Manchin’s support. His vote will make the difference for West Virginians. Please, Senator Manchin, don’t let this moment slip away.”
Listen to the full radio ad here.
P4ADNow also released a new TV ad today in Washington, D.C., demanding that Congress include the previously negotiated reforms that lower drug prices in any final reconciliation package. All of P4ADNow’s recent ads can be viewed here.
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