Piedmont Rising Launches New Effort to Improve Health Care Policy

RALEIGH, N.C. November 15, 2019 – A new statewide grassroots organization dedicated to the fight for affordable health care launched on Thursday. Piedmont Rising will work to turn the tide of North Carolina’s growing uninsured rate, advocate for lower prescription drug prices, and fight for increased access to affordable health care.

Supporters of Piedmont Rising gathered in Charlotte’s Marshall Park to discuss important issues for North Carolinians, including access to affordable health care, rising out-of-pocket costs, steeper insurance premiums, and skyrocketing prescription drug prices.

“More than half a million hardworking North Carolinians do not have access to affordable health care coverage,” said Jessica Coscia, Piedmont Rising Communications Director. “Rising out-of-pocket costs, more expensive prescription drugs, and higher premiums are making it harder for regular North Carolinians to get the care they need. We are committed to giving North Carolinians a voice, so lawmakers will hear them loud and clear.”

The launch event featured testimony from North Carolinians, and amplified support for actions that lower drug costs, lower premiums and ensure that more people have access to safe and affordable health care. 

Dr. Richard Pomerantz, a Charlotte-area pulmonologist and critical care physician, described how he sees first hand the devastation caused when patients can’t afford to buy medications:

"Every day I hear a story that a patient felt better on the medicine I prescribed, but when they ran out of the samples that I gave them and go to the pharmacy, they're confronted by an unbelievable bill," said Dr. Pomerantz during Thursday’s event. “This unbelievably high cost prevents patients from staying on the medications that will improve their health.”

For more information, or to schedule a follow-up interview, contact Jessica Coscia at Jessica@piedmontrising.org.

Coverage of the event is available at facebook.com/piedmontrising.

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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