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Rep. Susie Lee Invites Nevada Senior Plagued by High Drug Costs to State of the Union

January 30, 2020

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) announced her guest for the 2020 State of the Union, Ms. Mary Richard, a resident of Nevada's 3rd Congressional District experiencing the hardships of skyrocketing prescription drug costs.

"I am a 75-year-young senior who lives on a fixed income," said Ms. Richard. "Dealing with a chronic ear infection is no fun and I need to go to an ear specialist on a regular basis. Some ear drops were prescribed to me (tiny little bottle with a week's worth of drops). When I picked it up from the pharmacy, I was quoted $100! When I asked for a generic prescription, I was advised this was generic! Needless to say, this is outrageous and a real hardship for me and for other seniors who pay exorbitant prices on prescription drugs. My neighbors and I have to decide between paying for food or prescriptions. This is a horrible situation for all us seniors. Please help us and get these prescription drugs lowered to a reasonable amount that we can afford."

"Mary's story is heartbreaking because it's so common not only in southern Nevada but across the country," said Rep. Susie Lee. "She's doing everything right, budgeting well, looking out for her health, but it's still not enough because her prescription drugs are so expensive—even for medication as simple as drops for a chronic ear infection. We should be making it easier, not harder, for Americans like Mary to live and retire with dignity."

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, Rep. Lee helped the House of Representatives pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, sweeping legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs for all Americans. H.R. included Rep. Lee's bill, the Enhancing Retirement Security for Medicare Beneficiaries Act, which would guarantee that retirement savings aren't counted when determining if someone qualifies for Medicare Part D's Low Income Subsidy (LES) program.

This provision will benefit many of the 95,581 residents in Nevada's 3rd District enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan.

Issues:Congress