Phoenix, AZ — Today, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans and a local Arizona health care advocate joined Protect Our Care Arizona for a virtual press conference to announce Protect Our Care’s new digital ad in Arizona — part of a seven-figure ad campaign about prescription drug prices. The ad features Beatriz Morrison, a patient storyteller from Phoenix who is struggling to afford her prescriptions. In the ad, Morrison tells her personal story and relays the importance of giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans.
“I either have to cut back on a utility or I have to cut back on my groceries,” said Morrison. “Well, right now I’ll be truthful. I’m only taking medication for my heart. I have Lupus. I have Sjögrens. I have Glaucoma. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. And I’m only taking medication for my heart.”
The ad is part of the national Campaign to Reduce Drug Prices, a grassroots and communications campaign calling for comprehensive legislation to lower drug prices. The ad will run on digital platforms, focusing particularly on older Americans, beginning on June 15. Protect Our Care will continue to run ads and host events both nationally and in 13 key states, including Arizona, throughout the summer.
“I’m angry because Beatriz is not the only one in Arizona and this country that is living like this,” said Saundra Cole, President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans. “It’s not right. The AARA is trying to get the word out to our elected officials that we built this country and we now we can’t even afford our prescriptions. We need our elected officials to protect us and to advocate for us. That’s what we elect them to do. We are just asking that we are able to pay for our own medication.”
“Right now pharmaceutical companies take advantage of Americans who depend on life-saving drugs,” said Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care. “We pay three to four times what consumers are paying in other countries. Arizonans support prescription drug reform because they feel the impact of the high costs of their medications firsthand. Giving Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices will make medications more affordable for Arizonans and all Americans. It’s time for Congress to take action on soaring drug prices and help provide families some much-needed relief.”
Script for “Beatriz” (:15):
I needed a certain medication.
It was $3,000 dollars. For one month’s supply.
I chose not to take it because I couldn’t.
Medication and insurance needs to be reasonably priced!
Congress needs to act. Get us what we need!
Script for “Beatriz” (:30):
I needed a certain medication.
It was $3,000 dollars. For one month’s supply.
I chose not to take it because I couldn’t.
I still have to worry about utilities. I still have to worry about groceries.
Medication and insurance needs to be reasonably priced!
We’re at drug companies mercy because they can tell you what a prescription can cost and what it can’t.
Congress needs to act. Get us what we need!
You can watch the press conference here, and learn more about how the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) will make prescription drugs more affordable here.