04 Apr Affordable Healthcare Supporters, Working Nevada Families, and Business Owners Testify in Favor of AB250 in Assembly Commerce and Labor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2023
Contact: Will Pregman, wpregman@battlebornprogress.org, 702.752.0656
Affordable Healthcare Supporters, Working Nevada Families, and Business Owners Testify in Favor of AB250 in Assembly Commerce and Labor
Proponents of AB250 aim to make prescription drugs affordable for all Nevadans
CARSON CITY, NV – Today, the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee held a hearing on Assembly Bill 250. This bill extends some of the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act to all Nevadans. This bill makes prescription drugs affordable for all residents by applying negotiated prices of pharmaceutical drugs Medicare Part D patients are afforded. Proponents of this bill argued that this bill is one of the needed steps towards ending the inequities and inaccessibility of healthcare in the Silver State.
“Currently, pharmaceutical drugs companies are reporting record earnings but are still hiking prices that Americans are required to pay for the medications they need to survive,” said Annette Magnus, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress. “We thank Assemblywoman Considine for sponsoring AB250 which will make prescription drugs affordable for all Nevadans. About 565,000 Nevada seniors enrolled in Medicare will soon enjoy the benefits of negotiated prices of some of the most expensive but life sustaining prescriptions. However, this leaves about 2.5 million Nevadans who are subjected to the full amount that pharmaceutical companies can charge. We urge the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee to support AB250 so all Nevada residents will have access to affordable drugs while also reducing healthcare costs and stimulating the Silver State’s economy.”
“Drug costs are escalating almost exponentially yearly. Many seniors and those that need life-saving drugs are often making the decision to either pay rent or take the necessary drugs that their doctors have prescribed,” said Steven Horner, veteran and retired educator, supporting the bill. “AB250 will begin to address some of the horrid inequities that are created to maintain a quality of life for retirees and others that need these drugs and the draconian profits made by Big Pharma. No one is begrudging the pharmaceutical companies making a profit but never should a life be ruined or destroyed so they can advertise on tv or sponsor NASCAR teams and make huge profits. This bill will make sure that those individuals that have not yet qualified for Medicare will receive a well negotiated price for necessary medicines.”
“I live with psoriatic arthritis. This is a very painful disease, which causes swelling in all my joints and a very distinct rash. After living with the swelling and pain for several years, I was finally diagnosed when the rash appeared. And before it was brought under control, it covered 60% of my body, including my face,” said Lisa Lynn Chapman, State Anti-Disinformation Manager for Battle Born Progress, and pharmaceutical patient. “I am very grateful that my doctor could prescribe a biological medication that controls the rash and reduces swelling and pain. I would like to break down the costs of my medication. If I didn’t have insurance, the cost would be over $11,000 every two months. I am grateful for insurance; however, my co-pay is $350 a month. Again, I am grateful that the pharmaceutical company program reduces my co-pay to $5. But the reality is that if that program is discontinued, I may not be able to afford medication that allows me to work, spend time with my friends and family, and generally have a quality of life.”
“I have been on biologics since I was 5 years old. At 5 years old, my body was 90% covered in severe, chronic plaque psoriasis. I remember being in pain every single day because my body, or what my family called them, the itchies, were open, bleeding, and caused me extreme pain,” said Mathilda Guerrero, Digital Manager for Battle Born Progress, and pharmaceutical patient. “At 5 years old, insurance refused to cover biologics, claiming that I was not a candidate due to my age despite the severity of my disease and how it drastically impacted my quality of life. Fortunately, my parents bent over backwards and made sure that every month until I was 12 years old, that I had access to my biologics. Now, more than ever, it’s time for this body to explore solutions to make prescription drugs affordable for all Nevadans”
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