Hello, I am Tonya Nixon and I am a retired registered nurse from Escalon, California. 

I am currently a patient living with a seizure disorder that is a residual result from a brain tumor removal surgery. The medications I require are approximately $450 per month out of pocket after my insurance coverage has covered their portion. After years of trying to get medications approved by my insurance company at a significantly lower cost, they are now no longer effective. Because of this, I have now had surgery to implant a device in my neck known as a vagus nerve simulator (VNS) that sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve to help control the occurrence of seizures. 

My current prescription regimen consists of Vimpat and Aptiom which I used to pay $320 and $490 per month for prior to a recent price decrease. These medications have caused many stress and financial limitations on myself and my family, requiring me to induce medical expenses for physical therapy, glasses, and dental care and limit my socializing due to affordability challenges to go out with friends and have a nice time.

As a former registered nurse, I have seen this abuse happen over and over again. We should be able to provide care to our American citizens while keeping drug companies within some guidelines for profitmaking. Drug prices should have oversight. Pharmaceutical companies rely on the federal government’s patent laws and are taking advantage of the most vulnerable population in our country.

Thanks to the $2,000 cap on drugs, I can now handle paying for my medications – it is a huge break for me and my family. I really feel sorry for consumers who do not have advocates or understand the management of prescription drugs in this country. We are all being taken to the cleaners. Life as well as retirement should be enjoyable and a period of time where I can enjoy savings for myself. Having to constantly worry about prescriptions and how much I have to pay for this ‘benefit’ is really unacceptable for all senior citizens.