BIG PHARMA IS WINNING THE FIGHT TO MAINTAIN HIGH DRUG PRICES
President Biden’s plan to strengthen human infrastructure has been weakened by Corporate Democrats
QUICK READ: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans struggle to pay for their prescription drugs. That’s because the government is prohibited from negotiating for lower drug prices for its programs, like Medicare. Doing so would save the government hundreds of billions. The situation could change if a strengthened proposal in Build Back Better is passed. But drug companies are fighting to maintain their profits, and they are winning.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
While President Biden’s plan to strengthen America’s human infrastructure, the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better (BBB) proposal, is still a work in progress, one part of it is wildly popular. In fact, 83% of the public wants the government to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans struggle to pay for their prescription drugs. That’s because the government is prohibited from negotiating for lower drug prices for its programs, like Medicare.
Doing so would save the government hundreds of billions. That’s a substantial portion of the $1.7 trillion BBB package currently under discussion. And it would be a welcome savings of more than $100 billion for consumers.
The drug companies oppose the idea. The pharmaceutical industry will soon shatter its lobbying record as it seeks to get payback from its paid-for lawmakers, hoping to shrink or burn the bill.
Big Pharma spent $92 million in the first quarter of the year to protect its profits.
Corporate Democrats have managed to whittle down the provision so that the government can only negotiate prices on as few as ten drugs.
Currently, the Build Back Better legislation falls short of helping people afford their prescriptions. Demand a strong BBB bill.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank him for supporting the original prescription drug negotiating plan. Please work to get it put back into Build Back Better.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank him for supporting the original prescription drug negotiating plan. Please work to get it put back into Build Back Better.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Many people in the state you represent cannot afford their prescriptions. Fight for them.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank you for supporting the original prescription drug plan. Please work to get it back into Build Back Better.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
You are supposed to be representing all Oregonians, a huge majority of whom favor lowering prescription drug prices. Many people in the Congressional District you represent cannot afford their prescriptions.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank you for supporting the original prescription drug plan. Please work to get it back into Build Back Better.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank you for supporting the original prescription drug plan. Please work to get it back into Build Back Better.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Call and remind him
- 91% of people in your district supported the original prescription drug plan, and you need to support reinstating it into Build Back Better (even though you voted against the original plan in committee!!).
- Many people in the state you represent cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions and limiting this legislation to 10 medications per year hardly puts a dent into the problem of skyrocketing prescription drug costs.
- We know you have received over $600,000 from big Pharma since being in Congress.
- After obstructing passage of the Build Back Better Act for months and watering down Medicare's ability to negotiate drug pricing, you have "committed to voting for the transformative ... Act, as currently written, no later than the week of November 15." I and the rest of your constituents are watching to make sure you keep your promise. (This is a quote is from Representative Jayapal's statement last Friday night when the Progressive Caucus agreed to let the vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill go forward.)
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY,
FRIDAY, NOV. 12, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/
