Over my first two and a half years in Congress, one of the issues I've heard the most about from Iowans is their difficulty covering the skyrocketing prices of their prescription drugs.

I've voted to lower prescription drug costs and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices - and I'm eager to see similar measures included in legislation that we're working on in the House.

In order to demonstrate to my colleagues why those measures would be important for Iowa, I need to arm myself with the stories of Iowans that cannot afford for us to stick with the status quo. While I've heard so many of these stories in person, I want to give those of you I haven't met yet the opportunity to share.

Do you or someone in your immediate family regularly take prescription drugs for an illness or other ailment?

Yes

When filling a prescription for these medications, would you say that you are concerned about their price?

Yes

Have you or someone in your family ever lowered their recommended dosage to spread out the supply of medication they are purchasing?

Yes

Have you or someone in your family ever skipped meals or other essential expenses in order to have the money to afford prescription drugs?

Yes

Have you or someone in your family ever dipped into retirement or other long-term savings accounts in order to have the money to afford prescription drugs?

Yes

Have you or someone in your family ever sold possessions of value in order to have the money to afford prescription drugs?

Yes

If you answered yes on any of these previous questions, was the person using the prescription medication over the age of 65?

Yes

Do you have a story or any other information about the cost of prescription drugs that you would like to share?