State lawmakers debate high cost of medication
Claire Henn of St. Paul said the drug she relied on for her rheumatoid arthritis jumped from $60 per treatment to $1,400 per treatment. She went without it for three years until a charity helped pay for the drug.
During a state Capitol news conference, Henn said something must be done.
“I’m a senior on a low income with a small pension. There’s no way I can pay $1,400 a month for treatment,” she said.
McKenzie Shappell, also of St. Paul, shared similar concerns. Shappell, 25, is about to lose health care coverage under his parents’ insurance. The pills he needs cost $1,700 for a month’s supply.
“As the price of drugs in our state continues to spiral out of control and out of reach for too many of us, it is absolutely imperative that we pass legislation that cements control of prescription drug costs solely with those whose health and healing depends on them and removes it forever from the hands of those who profit from them,” said Shappell.
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