FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20th, 2021
Contact: Kenny Palmer | press@indivisible.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Indivisible joined leading progressive organizations in urging Democratic Congressional leadership to ensure that robust Medicare drug price negotiations and stronger Medicare dental, vision and hearing benefits are a part of the Democrats' final budget reconciliation package in two letters sent to lawmakers today. The first letter, addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was signed by principals of leading progressive organizations like Indivisible, Public Citizen, and four others. It closely echoes a second letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, which was signed by nearly 80 progressive organizations.
The letters come after Democratic House members Scott Peters, Kurt Schrader, and Kathleen Rice voted against advancing Medicare drug negotiation during a committee markup in the reconciliation package, putting these vitally important priorities at risk. Letter signees include Indivisible, Center for Popular Democracy, People’s Action, Social Security Works, Our Revolution, and Public Citizen. Nearly 80 organizations outlined the same priorities in a letter to Senate Leadership today as well.
Leah Greenberg, Co-Executive Director of the Indivisible Project issued the following statement:
“It is simply unacceptable when politicians campaign on popular progressive proposals, like lowering drug prices for everyone, only to sell out their constituents for a check from Big Pharma. But Indivisibles and our grassroots allies all across the country are not backing down from this fight.
“Our groups have been mobilizing since the moment they heard that Rep. Rice was threatening to betray her constituents by blocking passage of provisions to lower drug prices and expand Medicare benefits to include vision, hearing, and dental. They are determined to convince her to correct her course before the full floor vote on the Build Back Better Act.
“Democrats have the power to deliver popular reforms in this reconciliation package and must not lose their political courage due to corporate interest. They can drastically lower prescription drug costs for millions of Americans and guarantee essential healthcare items like eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures to the communities who have been disproportionately impacted by this public health and economic crises, which are low-income BIPOC aging communities. This should be an easy choice for Democrats, but our groups are steadfastly mobilizing to make sure they deliver on their promises.”
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ABOUT THE INDIVISIBLE PROJECT
The Indivisible Project (501c4) is a social movement non-profit driven by a vision of a real democracy - of, by, and for the people. Indivisible began in 2016 as a viral guide to resisting Trump’s agenda. Today, the Indivisible movement is a network of thousands of local groups and millions of activists across every state. The Indivisible Project drives campaigns for bold progressive policies, lobbies Congress, and equips activists with tools to build lasting progressive power, everywhere. Together, we fight to defeat the rightwing takeover of American government and build an inclusive democracy.