From Moms Rising (https://www.momsrising.org/):
We are so pleased that President Biden laid out his vision for lowering prescription drug prices in his Build Back Better Agenda. [1] But in order for this plan to pass, we’re going to need a huge push to combat the influence that big pharma has on members of Congress.
It’s time to make our voices heard even louder to make sure this policy becomes a win — and we have a powerful (and easy) way for you to do just that at https://action.momsrising.org/lte/rx_action4.
While everyone is taking a break and Congress is in recess, this is a vital time when members of Congress are back in their districts, read their local papers, and hear directly from people like you! Letters to the editor in local papers are some of the most impactful ways to get a Representative’s attention while simultaneously engaging your community and neighbors as well!
*Writing a letter to the editor is easier than you think—and is an incredibly powerful way to make your voice heard by your community. When you click on the link above, we’ll lead you through a quick process to write a letter to the editor for your local newspaper. This tool is pretty magical—you can easily edit our pre-drafted letter and send it to your paper with just a few clicks.
These reforms will benefit seniors, families, employers and the thousands of COVID long-haulers now facing chronic conditions who have already waited too long for action on drug reform. Patients cannot afford to wait anymore: people of all ages and incomes need affordable access to prescription drugs today.
Comprehensive reform is overwhelmingly popular because Americans across the political spectrum are tired of needing to pay for medication that they need to survive. No one should have to ration medications in a country as rich as our own. The half a trillion dollars in savings that would result from giving Medicare more negotiating power could be used to expand our nation’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure that every person has access to the care they need. [2]
Ending the pharmaceutical industry’s monopoly control over drug pricing is beyond overdue. The American people expect the Biden Administration and Congress to live up to their promise to ‘Build Back Better’ and get drug pricing reform done.
The clock is ticking for us to make sure this makes it into your local newspaper in time for when members of Congress return home to their districts. Letters to the editor are a powerful way to make sure leaders hear your voice.
The pre-drafted letter (which you can edit when you click through to the link) simply says:
Everyone should be able to access and afford the medication they need in order to live the healthiest life possible. As drug prices have risen, insurers are shifting costs to consumers and families are suffering, unable to afford the medications they need. This is putting families across the country at risk for poor health outcomes because outrageously high drug prices are preventing them from maintaining their health. We cannot be silent as this continues.
To lower drug prices for everyone, Congress needs to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, end monopoly control of drug prices by corporations, and help people afford out-of-pocket costs!
Congress’ top priority must be to address the outrageous list prices that manufacturers charge, which drive up costs throughout the system. Additional policies to bring prices under control should fix problems throughout the supply chain. The repercussions are horrendous when our loved ones skip medication. Whether they have diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or other chronic conditions, skipping medication can lead to deteriorating health and even premature death. It’s time for everyone to work together to rein in rising prescription drug prices so we can improve the health and save the lives of countless Americans.
Be sure to submit your letter to the editor now with just a few simple steps.
The more people who speak out, the bigger our impact. After you submit your own letter to the editor, please forward this email to friends.
Together we are a powerful voice for the health of families.
References:
[1] The New York Times, Biden presses Congress to move on price controls for prescription drugs
[2] Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 3, Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act
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