Friday, March 29, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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Nevadans are stretching every dollar at the grocery store, budgeting to pay for other expenses, and worrying about how they will pay the high costs of their medications.
We need relief at the pharmacy counter, and Nevadans are looking at their elected officials and lawmakers to make health care more affordable. It’s devastating that Gov. Joe Lombardo failed to meet this moment for struggling Nevadans. Instead, he sided with pharmaceutical company interests when he vetoed legislation aimed at lowering costs for patients across the state.
Working with vulnerable families for my entire legal career and now as a member of the Nevada Assembly, I’ve seen how difficult it can be for people to navigate the red tape and overwhelming costs built into our health care system. In fact, 1 in 3 Nevadans have chosen to forgo a medication refill, rationed pills or skipped a dosage altogether because they could not afford the full costs of their prescription. That’s why last year, Assemblywoman Natha Anderson and I introduced Assembly Bill 250, legislation meant to spark real change and increase accessibility and affordability for every Nevadan who takes prescription medication to improve their quality of life.
The Biden administration recently announced the latest steps in its Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Program. This historic policy action, made possible thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, gives Medicare the authority to negotiate with drug companies to bring down the costs on a select group of 10 drugs for seniors on Medicare. The drugs chosen were some of the most expensive and highly utilized prescriptions for treating diabetes, cancer and various autoimmune disorders.
Our legislation sought to build on these federal efforts by replicating the policy mechanisms in the Inflation Reduction Act to extend these lower drug costs to all Nevadans, no matter their age. Every Nevadan who deals with a chronic illness would have reaped the benefits of the savings negotiated for these drugs — a move that would improve the lives of countless individuals and families.
Unfortunately, the state’s residents were denied these life-changing benefits because our governor decided it was more important to protect the profits of big pharmaceutical companies than help Nevadans save on their health care bills.
Nevadans are demanding bold and comprehensive measures to alleviate the financial strain on families, especially when it comes to essential health care needs. Democratic lawmakers listened to their constituents and responded with action that would make prescription drugs more affordable for everyone. Lombardo did not.
Allowing all Nevadans to benefit from the negotiated Medicare prices the federal government will get has the potential to deliver thousands of dollars in savings for Nevada families. Advancing policies that put patients first and curtail the unruly power of large pharmaceutical companies is a long-term fight, and we won’t back down from it.
Nobody should have to sacrifice their well-being or health because they cannot afford medication. Despite Lombardo’s veto, I remain dedicated to pursuing and advocating for policies that fight back on rising prescription drug and health care costs.
Venicia Considine represents District 18 in the Nevada Assembly.
