California's Prescription Drug Ballot Initiative

Statement

Americans pay by far the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. Last year, prescription drug prices jumped more than 10 percent. Over 35 million Americans cannot afford the medication they are prescribed. In the richest country in the history of the world that is unacceptable.

We know that the VA pays considerably less than retail prices for prescription drugs. The people of California and all Americans should get the same price. Americans living with HIV/AIDS and cancer should not live in fear that they will go bankrupt because of the outrageously high cost of their prescription drugs. While Congress has failed to stand up to the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, the people of California can by supporting this ballot initiative. I commend National Nurses United and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for their leadership on this issue.

It is no surprise that the pharmaceutical industry has already dedicated $50 million to defeat this ballot initiative. Their greed has no end. Enough is enough! Drug companies shouldn't be allowed to make billions of dollars in profits off of people with cancer and AIDS who are in desperate need of lifesaving drugs. I hope very much that this ballot initiative passes.

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