Background:

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services is asking for the public’s help before the 2023 public hearing on prescription drug prices. The department has set up a brief survey for consumers to share their stories about rising prescription drug prices. Drug prices play a major role in the health care decisions of Oregonians, and the cost of prescription drugs have steadily increased. The department wants to hear your stories about the increased costs of prescription drug prices and how they have affected you and your family.

Take Action!

Step 1:
Write Your Story. Here are some questions and suggested talking points to help get you started:

• Introduction – About You:
  • When did your struggles with obesity begin?
  • What have you tried to help improve your health and what was the outcome of each? (diets, exercise, programs, surgery, medication, etc.)
  • What hurdles have you faced in your journey to improved health?
  • How has facing these hurdles impacted you physically, mentally, or emotionally?
• Impacts of Prescription Drug Prices:
  • Are anti-obesity medications covered under your insurance?
  • What is your out of pocket cost?
  • Are you currently using anti-obesity medications? Or did you use them in the past but now the price is higher?
• Solutions – Describe Ways that Prices Need to Change:
  • How have AOMs helped your health and quality of life?
  • The purpose of health care is to improve health and quality of life, not to save money or make a profit.
  • One of the biggest hurdles in accessing anti-obesity medications is the cost.
  • Cost and coverage issues are keeping new, safe, and effective life-saving treatments away from people who need them most.
  • Anti-obesity medications should be affordable and covered just like any other medication for a serious chronic disease.
  • Individuals should have access to at least the same level of discounts that pharmacy benefit managers and health insurance plans receive.
  • Drug manufacturers should offer long-term patient assistance programs to reduce out of pocket cost.
  • Obesity care should be equitable. Not covering proven treatments for people with obesity is discriminatory and rooted in weight bias and stigma.

Step 2:
Click Here to Share Your Story with the Oregon Department of Business Services. If you are comfortable speaking at the event, make sure to select ‘YES’ to testify at the hearing.

Step 3:
Watch the hearing live on December 7. Click here to see event details.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, December 7 from 1:30 – 4:00 pm.

Zoom: http://dcbspage.org/RXDRUGPRICEHEARING2023

Or Call 669-254-5252 (toll free), meeting ID: 1613210988