AUDIO: Advocates, Elected Officials Call on Senator Tillis to Take Up Historic Legislation to

It’s Time for Senator Tillis to Stand with North Carolinians instead of Big Pharma

**Listen to the full call audio here**

Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Piedmont Rising joined Protect Our Care North Carolina, State Sen. Wiley Nickell, Brad Woodhouse, the Executive Director of Protect Our Care, and health care advocates Stacie Borrello and Stacy Staggs on a press call to discuss the importance of Senate action on the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), a bill to relieve Americans from increasingly high prescription drug prices. The House passed H.R. 3 in early December. Now, it is up to lawmakers like Senators Tillis and Burr to pass the bill in the Senate.

Brad Woodhouse, the Executive Director of Protect Our Care praised H.R. 3 as historic, and blasted Senator Tillis for siding with pharmaceutical companies over their own constituents:

“H.R. 3 is a revolutionary and historic piece of legislation, and the only reason Donald

Trump, Thom Tillis, or any other republican in the North Carolina delegation who voted against this in December to be against it, is because they are in the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies.”

State Sen. Wiley Nickell urged leaders in Congress to prioritize access to life-saving drugs over the profits of pharmaceutical companies by supporting this legislation:

“Members of Congress have a choice on this bill - they can either protect the profits of the big drug companies who fund their campaigns, or they can support lower prices for all North Carolinians. I'm urging all members of Congress to support H.R. 3.”

Stacie Borrello, a patient advocate and fellow with Piedmont Rising described the lengths her family and others like them go to in order to access life-saving medication:

“Hard-working North Carolinians shouldn't have to worry about if they need to ration their medication, skip a bill or go without food to pay for their life-saving drugs. I want Senator Tillis to know he has an opportunity to save lives and improve North Carolinians’ health.”

Stacy Staggs, President of the North Carolina Chapter of Little Lobbyists blasted Senator Tillis for his unwillingness to use his power in Congress to help the people of North Carolina:

“Every barrier that is added to access, is a barrier that will cost lives. Senator Tillis’ inability, or disinterest, in advancing H.R. 3 for affordable drug prices now, tells us that he is not representing the needs of the people.”

H.R. 3 would lower prescription drug costs for all Americans and penalize pharmaceutical companies refusing to lower their drug prices. Now is the time for Senator Tillis to join his colleagues, stand with North Carolinians, and vote to lower prescription drug prices for all Americans.

Call audio available here.

Additionally, Piedmont Rising had been scheduled to host a health care town hall at Elizabeth City State University on Thursday evening, the first of three town halls this month. The event was canceled due to inclement weather. Piedmont Rising plans to reschedule the event for a later date.

PRESS CONTACT:

Jessica Coscia

jessica@piedmontrising.org

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About Piedmont Rising

Piedmont Rising is a 501 (c)4 issue advocacy organization built by and for North Carolinians to advocate for lower insurance premiums and prescription drug costs and to ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. Through grassroots organizing, education, and engagement, we are amplifying our health care stories and holding our elected officials accountable to the people, and issues, they were elected to represent. www.piedmontrising.org