LOWERING PRESCRIPTION COSTS SAVES LIVES
People are literally dying because they cannot afford their prescriptions
QUICK READ: Families should not have to choose between paying their bills or buying their medications. Lowering prescription drug prices is a win for all Americans from a health standpoint and to cut down inflation. We must push our members of Congress to to pass the segment of the BBB plan that would lower our costs for medication by allowing the government to negotiate pharmaceutical prices.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Even President Biden is aware that people are struggling trying to cover the costs of prescription drugs. Even with insurance Americans are paying, out of pocket, thousands of dollars, or being forced to forgo medications and, at times, use meds that are expired.
The cost of insulin, for example, has tripled over the past decade, and the out-of-pocket prescription costs patients now face have doubled. As costs continue to rise, as many as one in four people with diabetes are now skimping on or skipping lifesaving doses.
Biden wants to cut the cost of drugs to help people who are struggling. And it would also fight inflation’s impact and save the government $450 billion over ten years.
A bill that would cut the price of drugs up to 75% is languishing in Congress. A provision in Biden’s Build Back Better bill would have allowed the government to negotiate drug prices. Normal Americans need this.
People shouldn’t have to choose between heat and life-saving drugs. That’s not America. We are a nation that takes care of one another. Or, we used to. And we should again.
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].
I would like to encourage the Senator to move forward in trying to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing. 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].
I would like to encourage the Senator to move forward in trying to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Americans are having to choose between what bills they can pay and what medications they can afford. Even with insurance too many Americans cannot afford their co-pays for prescription drugs, including Insulin. Standing in the way of bring down the cost of prescription drugs is costing your constituents their health and in some cases their lives. Support bringing down the cost of prescription drugs.
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].
I would like to encourage you to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing. People are dying because of the cost of drugs.
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].
I would like to encourage you to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing. People are dying because of the cost of drugs.
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].
I would like to encourage you to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing. People are dying because of the cost of drugs.
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].
I would like to encourage you to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing. People are dying because of the cost of drugs.
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].
I would like to encourage you to restore and pass the segment of the Build Back Better that give Medicare the ability to negotiate on Medicare drug pricing. People are dying because of the cost of drugs.
ACTION 3: “GOOD TROUBLE”
Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, make some “good trouble.”
Join Indivisible Oregon.
Demand Justice is working to rebalance the Supreme Court. To get involved in this fight, click here.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Demand your primary news source stop creating false equivalencies and just report the truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
Center for Common Ground has a Reclaim Our Vote campaign for the Texas Primary! Make calls to Black registered voters in Texas, urging them to vote in the upcoming March 1st Primary. Register for phone banking here!
Rally inconsisent Democratic voters to vote in 2022 with Progressive Turnout Project | Feb, 2022 | Medium
TRAINING FOR DEEP CANVASSING WITH COIN: THURSDAY MAR 3, 6:30-8:00pm
DEEP CANVASSING WITH COIN: SATURDAY MAR 5, 10:00am-1:00pm
DEEP CANVAS PHONEBANKING WITH COIN: SATURDAY MAR 5, 10:00am-1:00pm
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
FURTHER READING:
Biden puts focus on drug prices in fight against inflation | AP News
The absurdly high cost of insulin, explained - Vox
Explaining the Prescription Drug Provisions in the Build Back Better Act | KFF
"Appalled" Biden Renews Calls for Prescription Drug Pricing Reform | BioSpace
Pharma-Funded Republican Blocks Sanders’s Demand for Vote on Drug Price Bill
Manchin can lead on prescription costs | Opinion | register-herald.com
