Morgantown Resident and Type I Diabetic Mindy Salango Shares Her Story to Show Why West Virginians Are Counting on Senator Manchin to Pass Build Back Better Act
Morgantown, WV — Protect Our Care announced a radio ad going up in West Virginia today calling for U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to do the right thing and support the Build Back Better Act for lower prescription drug prices. The ad features Mindy Salango, a Morgantown resident who suffers from Type I diabetes, explaining that because West Virginians pay three times more for drugs than people in other countries, patients like her are struggling to afford the medications they need to survive. Mindy makes clear that the Build Back Better Act, which gives Medicare the power to negotiate, is the solution to the broken drug pricing system.
The ad comes as Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) indicated that he opposes the Build Back Better Act after months of negotiations. If Senator Manchin fails to support the Build Back Better Act, he is fighting against lower drug prices, lower health care costs, and improved care for millions of seniors and working families. The ad will run statewide.
“For patients like Mindy Salango, the Build Back Better Act would mean knowing she can afford the insulin she needs to stay alive. Joe Manchin cannot turn his back on her and the countless other West Virginia families who are depending on the Build Back Better Act,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “This fight is not over. Senator Manchin has said publicly that giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices is not only good policy, but the right thing to do. Now, it’s time for him to get Build Back Better over the finish line so millions of Americans no longer have to worry about affording their medications.”
Script for “Mindy” Ad (60s):
Too many West Virginians wake up everyday and have to make a heartbreaking choice:
Should I pay the rent or should I pay for my medication that keeps me alive?
My name is Mindy Salango and I’m a Type 1 diabetic.
Even though I have health insurance, I still spend about $350 every month paying for my prescription medications, insulin and other diabetes supplies I need to stay healthy and alive.
The thought of not being able to afford my medication is terrifying.
West Virginians are suffering because of high prescription drug costs. We pay 3-times more than people in other countries for the same drugs. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Congress can give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices for West Virginia families.
Senator Manchin has told us he’s with us on this. Now, we’re counting on him to get it done.