Hawaii Legislator Looks “Up-River” for Solutions to Prescription Drug Crisis

Looking for an “up-river” solution to address the escalating cost of prescription drugs in Hawaii, Rep. Roy Takumi found and introduced two bills based on CPA model legislation, and this year both were enacted.

One new law, based on the landmark 2000 Maine Rx legislation, directs the state to act as a negotiator to lower prescription drug prices for uninsured residents. This law will help take the burden off 220,000 Hawaiians, “who must decide between eating and taking necessary medications,” said Takumi. The other law is similar to the “Healthy Maine” Medicaid waiver program, which lowers drug prices for residents below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

Takumi’s success did not come easily. Last year, a similar version of the legislation failed to pass. A key component to this year’s victory was the building of a stronger coalition. While working with AARP, AFL-CIO, consumer advocacy groups, and other coalition members, Takumi said, “It was important to listen carefully and be open to compromise.”

The coalition battled the biggest lobbying efforts ever seen in the state. According to Takumi, the pharmaceutical industry hired seven lobbyists and spent over $100,000 to stop the legislation. To counter PhRMA’s lobbying budget and significant presence, Takumi traveled around the state to draw support for the bill at AARP-sponsored meetings.

Takumi successfully conveyed the urgency of the issue to his fellow legislators, many of whom wanted to wait and see the results of pending litigation before enacting a law. Takumi’s message was to “take the initiative now and create exemptions later if needed.” To do otherwise is to “look a constituent in the eyes and tell them to wait…tell them to not eat so they can afford their prescriptions.”

A 10-year veteran of the House of Representatives, Takumi is the Chair of the Higher Education Committee, and serves on the Agricultural, Economic Development and Business Concerns, Education, and Tourism and Culture Committees. Takumi is the Director of Communications for the Hawaii AFL-CIO.