WHEREAS:

The cost of prescription drugs is too damn high, forcing working families and retirees to choose between food, rent and life sustaining prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS:

The cost of drugs is NOT correlated to the actual cost of research, development or production by pharmaceutical companies and do not reflect actual huge public subsidies, tax breaks, and research and development provided free of charge to these companies by public agencies. Rather, drug prices are correlated to the pharmaceutical companies’ greed for profits, marketing costs and disregard for the well-being of consumers and their medical needs; and

WHEREAS:

High drug costs strain inadequate Medicare and Medicaid budgets that limit benefits for families dependent on these coverages; and

WHEREAS:

The nation, working families and retirees need socially and morally responsible prescription drug price policies that provide transparency of costs, access and give priority to consumers and patients.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will support the overhaul and modernization of drug price policies with a focus on access, price transparency, elimination of monopoly practices, leveraging tax-based subsidies and tax breaks on drug research to lower prices to the public, among others; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will mobilize labor, community partners, religious community, retiree organizations and health advocates to demonstrate against big pharmaceuticals and educate the public about the need for reforms; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME and its allies will lobby the U.S. Congress to support legislation regulating the cost of prescription drugs.

SUBMITTED BY:
Juan Fernandez, President and Delegate
Local 154, District Council 37
Edward Hysyck, President and Delegate
District Council 37 Retirees Association
New York