News

Morgantown Resident and Type I Diabetic Mindy Salango Shares Her Story to Show Why Senator Manchin’s Leadership is Essential to Pass Medicare Negotiation 

Listen to the Radio Ad Here

West Virginia — Protect Our Care announced a new radio ad today calling for U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to meet the demands of his constituents and fight for giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. The ad features Mindy Salango, a Morgantown resident who suffers from Type I diabetes, explaining that West Virginians pay three times more for drugs than people in other countries while drug companies charge exorbitant prices for lifesaving medications like insulin. Mindy makes clear that giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices is the solution to the broken drug pricing system. Democrats’ proposal to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices is supported by 90% of all Americans and remains central to President Biden’s Build Back Better Act.

The ad comes as Congress is closing in on legislation that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is fighting back with lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. The ad makes clear that Senator Manchin must hold strong in his support for the health care provisions of the Build Back Better Act, including giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans. The ad will run statewide beginning on Friday, October 8.

“Patients like Mindy illustrate why bold action to bring down drug prices is so important. Across West Virginia, families are making impossible choices between affording prescription drugs or putting food on the table — that’s no way to live, said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Senator Manchin has made clear giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices is not only commonsense policy, but the right thing to do. Now, it’s time for Senator Manchin to deliver on his promise and fight to get this over the finish line and help pass the Build Back Better Act so millions of Americans no longer have to worry about affording the medications they need to survive.” 

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. 

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 3:30 PM ET***

Philadelphia, PA — Today, October 6 at 3:30 PM ET, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) will headline a virtual roundtable to highlight how historic health care provisions included in the Democrats’ budget reconciliation legislation will lower costs and expand access for Pennsylvanians. Local health care advocates from For Our Future Pennsylvania, Protect Our Care Pennsylvania, MomsRising, The Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and The 99% Campaign will join Rep. Wild, illustrating the growing momentum for President Biden’s Build Back Better plan.

The Build Back Better proposal includes driving down prescription drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to include vision, dental, and hearing, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, dramatically lowering the cost of health insurance for millions, and increasing the accessibility and affordability of home health and child care. 

This event will showcase how President Biden and the Democrats are fighting to make affordable health care a reality in Pennsylvania through historic health care provisions included in their budget reconciliation legislation.  

VIRTUAL EVENT:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07)
Ashley McBride, For Our Future Pennsylvania State Director
Michael Berman, Protect Our Care Pennsylvania
Karen Showalter, Moms Rising
The Pennsylvania Health Access Network
The 99% Pennsylvania Campaign of the PA Budget & Policy Center

WHAT: Virtual Roundtable to Highlight How Historic Health Care Investments Included in Democrats’ Budget Legislation Will Impact Pennsylvanians

WHERE: Register for the Event Here 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 6 at 3:30 PM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 11:00 AM ET***

Coalition Will Call on U.S. Rep. Murphy to Support the Build Back Better Agenda, Including Lowering Prescription Drug Prices via Medicare Negotiations and Medicaid Expansion

Orlando, FL — Today, Wednesday October 6 11:00 AM ET, healthcare advocates, medical professionals, and faith leaders in Central Florida will hold a virtual event urging U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-07) to support lowering prescription drug prices and expanding Medicaid by voting for President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. 

Through the reconciliation bill currently being debated in Congress, Democrats are committed to lowering drug prices for American families. Though Representative Murphy voted for H.R. 3 in 2019, she has since indicated that she may not be supportive of similar healthcare measures in the current reconciliation package. 

In Florida, there is currently overwhelming, bipartisan support for Medicare negotiation and the need to lower prescription drug prices in Representative Murphy’s district. Last month, a poll released by Public Policy Polling confirmed that voters in Representative Murphy’s district overwhelmingly support giving Medicare the power to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans. This event will make clear that Representative Murphy must deliver on her promises to her constituents and all Americans by supporting the Build Back Better Agenda. 

VIRTUAL EVENT: 

WHO:
Janice Poirier, Ed.S., President Florida Education Association Retired, National Education Association Retired Executive Council
Donesa Jackson, Regional VP of Central Florida for Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
Rev. Dr. Russel Meyer, Executive Director of Florida Council of Churches
Scott Darius, Executive Director for Florida Voices for Health

WHAT: Virtual Event Calling on U.S. Rep. Murphy to Support the Build Back Better Agenda, Including Lowering Prescription Drug Prices via Medicare Negotiations and Medicaid Expansion

WHERE: Register for the Event Here 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 6 at 11:00 AM ET

Protect Our Care Continued to Urge Senators Sinema (D-AZ) and Menendez (D-NJ) to Lower Prescription Drug Costs with Website Ad Takeover, Radio Ad, Mobile Billboard, Press Events

Protect Our Care continued its events and activities calling on Congress to deliver lower costs and better care to American families by passing all of President Biden’s health care priorities in the Build Back Better budget package. Democrats are closing in on a budget agreement that could give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices, close the Medicaid coverage gap, expand Medicare benefits to include vision, dental and hearing, and reduce health care costs for millions of people purchasing coverage on their own. These proposals are overwhelmingly popular among voters of all parties.

Today’s events made clear that all of these health care reforms are essential to the success of the Build Back Better package. And with Republicans bought and paid for by Big Pharma and other special interests, we need every Democrat to keep up the fight. Protect Our Care will continue to ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of lowering drug prices and expanding care and hold those that fight reform accountable.

ARIZONA

WEBSITE AD TAKEOVER: Protect Our Care placed ads today in the Arizona Capital Times calling for Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) to meet the demands of her constituents and support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. The ads were placed in advance of an event with Will Humble, who appeared in a POC radio ad last week.

PRESS EVENT: Will Humble, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association, joined the Arizona chapter of AARP on Morning Scoop for a press event highlighting the benefits for all consumers of allowing Medicare to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs. In Arizona, the cost of prescription drugs grew 69% faster than the average resident’s income from 2015 to 2019, forcing many to choose between medication and rent, groceries or other necessities. 

NEW JERSEY

MOBILE BILLBOARD: A mobile billboard sponsored by Protect Our Care appeared at an event sponsored by Our Revolution in front of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) Jersey City office calling on the senator to stand up to Big Pharma and bring relief to New Jersey’s seniors and families who struggle to afford their medications. This event made it clear that Senator Menendez must not cower to the demands of drug companies and deliver on his promises to his constituents and all Americans.

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 11:00 AM EST**

Protect Our Care to Urge Senator Menendez to Support Medicare Negotiations to Bring Down Drug Prices With Mobile Billboard with Advocates Outside of Jersey City Office

9 Out Of 10 New Jersey Voters Support Allowing Medicare To Negotiate; 78% Think Drug Prices Are Unreasonable

Jersey City, NJ — A mobile billboard and event with constituents sponsored by Protect Our Care will appear in front of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) Jersey City office on Tuesday, October 5, calling on the senator to stand up to Big Pharma and bring relief to New Jersey’s seniors and families who struggle to afford their medications. The mobile billboard will be circling his office at 11:00AM EST, and it will join constituents and advocates who are urging the senator to support Medicare negotiations to lower drug prices on prescription drugs.

These actions come as Congress is closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is ramping up its lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. This event will make clear that Senator Menendez must not cower to the demands of drug companies and deliver on her promises to her constituents and all Americans. 

Event Details:

WHO:
Protect Our Care
Concerned Citizens

WHAT: Protect Our Care to Urge Senator Menendez to Support Medicare Negotiations and Bring Down Drug Prices With Mobile Billboard and Protest District Office

WHERE: 210 Hudson Street, Harborside 3, Jersey City, NJ 07302

WHEN: Tuesday October 5 at 11:00 AM EST

The mobile billboard outside Senator Menendez’s district office comes on the heels of a new polling project showing the overwhelming, bipartisan support for this reform across New Jersey. With this project and interactive map, Senator Menendez and his constituents can now find the level of backing for Medicare negotiation, opinions about pharmaceutical companies, concerns about Congress failing to act, and belief in pharma’s top arguments. The project was conducted by Data for Progress on behalf of Protect Our Care and Patients For Affordable Drugs Now.

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY 9/30 AT 11:00 AM PT // 2:00 PM ET**

TODAY: Protect Our Care California and Local Advocates Host “Die-In” at Rep. Scott Peters’ Office to Protest Opposition to Medicare Negotiation

90% of CA-52 Voters Support Allowing Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices with Pharma Companies; 75% Think Drug Prices Are Unreasonable

San Diego, CA — On Thursday, September 30 at 11:00 AM PT // 2:00 PM ET, Protect Our Care California SoCal Advocate Natalie Smith will join the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and local patients and advocates for a die-in outside U.S. Representative Scott Peters’ (D-CA-52) office. This event will feature a sidewalk chalk mural depicting drug prices and tombstones representing the thousands of seniors who will die in the coming year due to a lack of access to affordable medicines. Also, a Grim Reaper will appear urging Rep. Peters to stand up to the demands of drug companies and deliver on his promises to work for and safeguard his constituents and all Americans. 

The Die-In comes as Congress is closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and the Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other critical health care priorities in the Build Back Better package. Still, the fight is not over: Big Pharma has ramped up lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. This event calls on Rep. Peters to do the right thing for San Diegans and people across the country when the final bill goes to the House floor.

RALLY: 

WHO:
Natalie Smith, Protect Our Care California SoCal Advocate
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Local Patients and Advocates

WHAT: Protect Our Care California to Host Die-In With Local Advocates in Protest of Representative Scott Peters’ Decision to Vote Against Medicare Negotiation

WHERE: 4350 Executive Drive, Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92121

WHEN: Today, Thursday, September 30, at 11:00 AM PT // 2:00 PM ET

The Arizona Public Health Association’s Will Humble Says Arizonans Are Being “Ripped Off” and Urges Senator Sinema to Support Medicare Negotiation

Listen to the Radio Ad Here

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care announced a new radio ad today calling for Senator Sinema to meet the demands of her constituents and support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. The ad features Will Humble, the Executive Director for the Arizona Public Health Association, who explains that Arizonans pay three times more for drugs than people in other countries while Big Pharma continues to rake in record profits and hike prices on Americans. Humble makes clear that giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices is the solution to the broken drug pricing system. Democrats’ proposal to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices is supported by 90% of all Americans and remains central to President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

The ad comes as Congress is closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is fighting back with lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. The ad makes clear that Senator Sinema must support the health care provisions of the Build Back Better Act, including giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.  The ad will run in Phoenix for the next week.

“Arizonians from all walks of life are fed up with skyrocketing drug prices, and they are calling on Senator Sinema to do the right thing by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Will Humble knows the drug pricing system is broken and Arizonans are getting ripped off. Congress is closer than ever to reining in Big Pharma’s greed, but with Republicans already bought and paid for, every Democrat needs to get on board and pass the Build Back Better legislation now.” 

Script for Will Humble Ad (60s):

I’m going to come right out and say it – the American people are getting ripped off. 

Hello. My name is Will Humble. I’m the Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association. 

Decades ago, Congress passed a law that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices from the drug companies.  They prohibit it. 

They gave a sweet deal to the drug companies to dictate the prices to us – to have the power of a monopoly.

It’s not fair. It’s not right. And we finally have a solution.

We’re close to passing a plan that will give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.

To get it done, we need Senator Sinema to stand up for seniors, stand up for working people and stand up for patients. 

We’ve been getting ripped off. Now there is a market based solution – letting Medicare negotiate.

Call Senator Sinema at (602) 598-7327. Tell her we need her support.

MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Parties
FR: Protect Our Care
DT: September 30, 2021
RE: #1 Item in Build Back Better is Prescription Drug Prices

Congress continues to debate whether to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices or keep the monopoly in place where drug companies dictate the prices for patients. 

While Congress debates and Big Pharma tries to threaten political retribution, the American people have already spoken.

According to polls conducted by four of the top pollsters in the Democratic Party, the #1 element of President Biden’s Build Back Better budget is giving Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices.

See for yourself.

1. NEW. ALG Polling’s John Anzalone recently conducted a survey across 48 battleground congressional districts for Build Back Together.  From the memo:

“Allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices was the most popular of the 16 components of the Build Back Better plan tested. Over two-thirds of battleground district voters (71%) say this component makes them more likely to support the reconciliation plan. It is especially popular with seniors, but also the most popular component among both Independents and those voters who are persuadable on the reconciliation plan.”

2. Geoff Garin of Hart Research recently completed a national survey for Protect Our Care which found Medicare negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs was the most important element in driving support for the Build Back Better package (65%). From the report:

3. Global Strategy Group and GBAO recently completed a regular survey for Navigator Research that found Medicare negotiating to bring down the cost of prescription drugs was the most popular element with 86% support. From their report: 

PHOTOS: Continued Action to Advocate for Lower Costs & Better Care As Congress Closes In On Budget Agreement

Lite-Brite Display and Mobile Billboards Highlighted the Urgency to Pass Medicare Negotiation and Lower Drug Prices for All Americans

This week, Protect Our Care continued its events and activities calling on Congress to deliver lower costs and better care to American families by passing all of President Biden’s health care priorities in the Build Back Better budget package. Congress is now closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is ramping up its lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. These activities will make clear that this is not the time for half measures; Congress must act now to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.

NATIONAL

LITE-BRITE: Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite demonstration with activists outside of PhRMA’s headquarters in D.C. to call for an end to Big Pharma’s greed which forces millions of patients to choose between affording rent and groceries, or paying for their prescription drug costs. As Congress is in the midst of negotiating a final budget agreement, the event made clear that this is not the time for half measures, and Congress must act now to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.

For more photos, click here. 

MOBILE BILLBOARD: A mobile billboard circled Capitol Hill and Nationals Park during the Congressional Baseball Game urging lawmakers to support giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices in the upcoming budget legislation. The mobile billboard specifically called on U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA-52), Kathleen Rice (D-NY-04), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05) to meet the demands of their constituents and vote in favor of Medicare negotiation. These lawmakers recently voted against negotiation in committee, but they still have the chance to support the final bill when it comes to the House floor.

CALIFORNIA
SOUND TRUCK: A mobile billboard and sound truck sponsored by Protect Our Care appeared at Rep. Scott Peters’ Office. The mobile billboard and sound truck broadcasted a radio ad calling out the congressman for his recent vote against giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans — a proposal supported by 94% of all Americans, and 9 in 10 voters in his district. Medicare negotiation is central to President Biden’s Build Back Better proposal.