LA PUENTE, CA — The following statement was issued by Victoria Stuessel, a Multiple Sclerosis patient, mother, and La Puente, CA resident seeking relief from skyrocketing drug prices. Victoria is a volunteer Patient Advocate in the Patients For Affordable Drugs community.
“Patients like me can breathe a sigh of relief today. For years, I’ve struggled to afford medication that keeps me alive, and I’ve lived in fear that my drug costs would increase arbitrarily. Today, I’ll sleep a little better knowing that SB 17 will help keep the pharmaceutical industry honest about how drugs are priced and shine a light on unwarranted price increases. I want to personally thank Governor Brown, Senator Hernandez, and courageous members of the California legislature who passed SB 17.”
- Victoria participated in a press conference at the California Capitol on September 6th in support of SB 17. She joined Senator Ed Hernandez, NextGen America founder, Tom Steyer, Health Access executive director, Anthony Wright, and other coalition partners. Patients for Affordable Drugs was proud to help provide a patient perspective to the drug pricing debate.
- Patients For Affordable Drugs mobilized patients in California in the following ways:
- 147 patients shared their story with their state legislators via email in support of SB 17.
- 80 patients encouraged Governor Brown to sign SB 17 via email.
- 4 patients shared their stories in person with undecided Assemblymembers at summer recess constituent events.
- Patients For Affordable Drugs is a national non-profit that elevates stories of Americans struggling to afford prescriptions and gives patients tools to fight a rigged U.S. pricing system.
