In New Ad -- “Senator Tillis Can Afford It” -- Advocates Call for Senator Tillis to Fight for Lower

In New Ad -- “Senator Tillis Can Afford It” -- Advocates Call for Senator Tillis to Fight for Lower Drug Prices

One in Four Americans Can’t Afford Their Prescriptions, But Sen. Tillis Hasn’t Supported the Legislation Which Would Dramatically Reduce the Cost of Drugs for North Carolinians

Raleigh, N.C. -- Today, Piedmont Rising released a new digital ad, “Senator Tillis Can Afford It,” that urges Senator Thom Tillis to support legislation that would lower drug prices for North Carolinians. Tillis has repeatedly voted for increases in health care premiums, out-of-pocket costs and prescription drug costs, especially on older North Carolinians. Access to health care is especially crucial right now in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Nearly one in four Americans cannot afford necessary prescription drugs and one in eight Americans report they are rationing their medications. At the same time drug companies continue to make record-breaking profits because lawmakers like Senator Tillis continue to put the demands of corporate interests ahead of their constituents’ health,” said Piedmont Rising Executive Director Casey Wilkinson. “North Carolina families shouldn't have to skip a bill or go without food to pay for their life-saving drugs. Senator Tillis should support the Lower Drugs Cost Now Act to cut drug prices, cap out-of-pocket costs for consumers, and give Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices from pharmaceutical companies.

Script:

“One in four Americans can’t afford their prescriptions, but Senator Thom Tillis hasn’t supported the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would dramatically reduce the cost of prescription drugs for North Carolinians.

As the seventeenth wealthiest U.S. Senator, with a net worth of nearly eleven million dollars, Thom Tillis can afford those high costs.

Maybe Senator Tillis can afford to pay $300 for life-saving medications, but North Carolina families can’t.”

Click here to view the ad.

Piedmont Rising is running the ad on Facebook to educate voters about Senator Tillis’ record on health care and lack of support for the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.

Background

Tillis voted to let big drug companies raise prescription drug costs and let health insurance companies stop paying any of the cost of prescription drugs. He also voted to let insurance companies charge five times more to people over 50. The AARP calls it an "age tax." Further, Tillis voted six times to cut nearly $500 billion from Medicare, which would put the care seniors have earned at risk and increase their out-of-pocket costs.

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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