CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

Washington, D.C. — Faced with gridlock in Congress, state legislators, unions and community leaders in 20 states announced today efforts to lower prescription drug prices. The action follows just five weeks after the state of Maine became the first state in the country to enact a law that will result in steep discounts for residents who do not have prescription drug coverage.

According to Ann Beaudry, the CEO of the Center for Policy Alternatives, “There is real momentum building behind this innovative, no cost to taxpayers solution to the problem of escalating drug prices. Why? Just look at the numbers. Currently over 70 million Americans-one in four-don’t have health insurance covering prescription drugs, including 18 million seniors on Medicare and 12 million children. These vulnerable individuals without coverage don’t have any market clout and thus pay exorbitantly high prices-as much as 50% more than an HMO or the Medicaid program, and over twice as much as the Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs. State legislators are realizing they can use the state’s market clout, by pooling their uninsured residents and negotiating discounts and rebates on their behalf.”

Contrasted to the partisan gridlock in Congress, the Prescription Drug Fair Pricing Act is gaining support on both sides of the State House aisle. Led by State Senator Chellie Pingree (D), the Majority Leader and primary sponsor, the Maine bill received almost unanimous, bipartisan support; the Senate vote was unanimous, the House vote 133-11, and the law was signed by Governor Angus King, an Independent.

“We’re seeing this same type of bipartisan support in other states,” Beaudry said. “This is landmark legislation,” she added. “It’s an example of good public policy meets good politics-a no cost solution that will receive very strong public support.”

State press conferences on lowering prescription drug prices took place today in state capitols in: AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NY, PA, SC, VT, WA, WI. See attached list of state press contacts for more information.

National leaders speaking at the national press conference in support of lowering prescription drug prices and increasing access include:

• Ann Beaudry, CEO of the Center for Policy Alternatives
• John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO
• Maine State Senator Chellie Pingree, Majority Leader in the Maine Senate and primary sponsor of the Maine bill
• Joe Ervin, National Council of Senior Citizens
• Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA

Click on the following link to read the Center For Policy Alternatives’ policy brief, Playing Fair: State Action to Lower Prescription Drug Prices. Click here to see CPA’s Prescription Drug issue brief. CPA is one of America’s leading nonpartisan public policy and leadership development centers working across the 50 states.

Prescription Drug State Press Conference Contacts (A full list of press conference participants is available.)

• Arizona: 9:00 am, Senate Capitol Building, Michele Hanigsberg, staff for Sen Cummiskey (602) 542-4387

• Alabama: 2:00pm, Gerald Saunders, Alabama New South Coalition, (334) 832-9060

• Colorado: 9:30am, State Capitol, Press Room, Sen. Stan Matsunaka (907) 663-0896

• Connecticut: 2:00 pm, State Capitol, Rm. 1A, Sen. Edith Prague (806) 240-0579

• Florida: Maria Rodriquiz Families USA (850) 222-7607

• Georgia: 10:00 am, Capitol Steps, Sen. Donzella James (404) 656-0049

• Hawaii: Rep. Roy Takumi (808) 586-6170

• Illinois: 11:00 am, Prairie State College, Sen. Debbie Halvorson (708) 756-0885

• Iowa: 11:00 am, IA AFL-CIO office (2000 Walker Street), Jan Laue, IA AFL-CIO (515) 262-9571

• Maryland: 3pm, Lawyers Square, Rep. Joann Benson (301) 858-3065

• Michigan: 10:30 am, State Capital Rotunda, Andy Hetzel (517) 373-7100

• Minnesota: 9:00 am, Rm 181 State Office Building, Karl Breme, media staff for Rep. Koskinen (651) 296-4169

• Missouri: 10:00 am, Capitol Rotunda, Bill Ray, MO AARP (573) 445-2820

• New York: Edwin Donnelly, NY AFL-CIO (518) 436-8516

• North Carolina: 10:30 am, State Capitol, Rep. Alma Addams (919) 733-5902

• Pennsylvania: 11:00 am Rep. Don Walko, (717) 787-5470

• South Carolina: 2:00 am, State Capitol, Bret Dorsey, South Carolina Progressive Network (803) 808-3384

• Vermont: 10:00 am, State House, Rm. 10, Lisa Sanchez, aide to Sen. Peter Shumlin (802) 828-3806

• Washington: 10:00 am, Immunex Corporation, Barbara Flye, Washington Citizen Action (206) 389-0050

• Wisconsin: 9:00 am, Martin Luther King Heritage Health Center, Dave Defelice, aide to Rep. Coggs (608) 266-5580

For more information about CPA or the Prescription Drug State Press Conferences, please contact Kristina Wilfore at (202) 387-6030.

# # #