We have some good news.

The Senate took an important first step to rein in pharmaceutical price gouging through the Inflation Reduction Act. 

This bill — which now moves to the House — marks an exceedingly rare defeat for the pharmaceutical industry, which has long bought off elected officials in Washington and state capitals as one of the most powerful corporate lobbies. 

Here are some of the highlights from the bill: 

• The government will be able to negotiate lower prices on prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare (though just a limited number of drugs and not starting until 2026), saving an estimated $288 billion over 10 years
• Cap out-of-pocket costs for medication for seniors to a maximum of $2,000 per year (down from the current $10,000+ a year for the costliest drugs)  
• Restrict insulin costs to $35 a month for Medicare recipients

The passage of this bill, even considering its limitations, is a direct testament to mass action and people power, which has been at the heart of social reform throughout U.S. history. 

But it did not come without a fight. Research found that the main pharmaceutical lobby, PhRMA, and its allies spent at least $18.6 million on television and digital ads since July 1, including $1 million on new television ads just since the Democrats’ deal was announced July 27.¹

That is exactly why politicians who carry out the agenda of Big Pharma were successful in blocking these life-saving protections from applying to everyone, including those who rely on private insurance or have no health coverage. We know that the only way to guarantee an end to pharmaceutical price gouging and other restrictions on access to health care is to take corporate money out of politics and enact Medicare for All.

We must continue our work to get corporate health care money out of politics, and that’s exactly why we’re asking you to add your name to join our Patients Over Profits campaign today.

I'm in »

For decades, corporate-lobbying groups have tried to stop health care reform and buy off our politicians with millions of dollars each year in campaign contributions and lobbying. But we can force our politicians and elected officials to choose a side by signing the pledge to reject dirty money from the corporate health care industry. 

So far we have 23 elected officials and candidates signed on and 58 active initiatives across the country. We’re making great progress but we need your help to reach our goal of 100 signers by the November election. 

Please sign up now to join the campaign, and we’ll let you know how you can plug in and help get your state and local elected officials to sign the pledge.

Together, we can combat the influence of corporate money and get one step closer to passing Medicare for All. 

In solidarity, 

Nurses’ Campaign to Win Medicare for All 

 

1 - Washington Post