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I am so thrilled and honored to share with you all that I have received the endorsement of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley! She has consistently been a progressive leader on issues of reproductive justice and healthcare, funding for the MBTA and transportation equity, and holding for-profit hospitals accountable. Most recently, we convened at MCI-Norfolk to meet with Black, Latinx, and AAPI organizers who are incarcerated and prison staff. This meeting helped inform critical legislation: the Environmental Health in Prisons Act, filed by Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Markey. Our values and priorities are aligned in so many ways and I am proud to call her a sister-in-service. Thank you Congresswoman Pressley for all you do and for your support!
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Last days of session on Beacon Hill
Tomorrow is the last day of session which means a lot of what’s ahead in the next few days is up in the air. As promised I’ll share details of the bill we passed last week on lowering the cost of medication. I’ll also share a brief update on our fight to keep hospitals open and to protect the right-to-shelter in Massachusetts. |
Lowering the cost of medication
Prior to being elected as your State Representative, I worked as an antitrust economist and analyzed when corporations abused their power at the expense of everyone else. This is exactly what happened in an extremely consolidated industry that you’ve probably never heard of: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and they have been driving up the cost of medication. They are one piece of the messy puzzle that makes up our for-profit healthcare system and largely operate within a black box with barely any oversight or transparency.
In short, PBMs are middlemen between drug companies, health insurance companies, and pharmacies.
They make a profit by charging health insurance companies more money for a drug that they paid less money to the pharmacy for. They also negotiate rebates from drug companies so that the health insurance company that contracts with the PBM will get a discount on a drug’s list price. While some of the rebate and savings is passed on to the health insurance company, PBMs also pocket a portion of the rebates for profit.
To make matters worse, PBMs have consolidated horizontally (ie. there is limited competition between PBMs), and have consolidated vertically (ie. they acquired a pharmacy and/or health insurance company and operate as one entity). The most recognizable example is that CVS Health Corporation owns both CVS Pharmacy and CVS Caremark (a PBM). All this means is that PBMs end up costing you, a person who simply needs to take medication prescribed to you by your doctor, a lot of money and then rake in profits from you as a middleman.
This is obscene and immoral and must stop immediately. We know from a recent report that 22% of Massachusetts residents skipped medication because they couldn’t afford it.
The legislation we passed last week does the following: - Eliminate copays for diabetes, asthma, and the most prevalent health conditions
- Ban these practices employed by PBMs and will incur strict fines for PBMs that violate this law
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Increase transparency in their business practices and on medication prices in general by requiring PBMs and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to submit pricing and cost data to the State Government (specifically the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information and Analysis)
I have no doubt that this is something we need to continue to monitor in order to ensure that the intention of this law is actually implemented through lower medication prices. I have seen repeatedly, for-profit companies abuse loopholes and then find new ones once when one is closed, only to get slapped on the wrist with an insignificant fine. I will fight to ensure this does not happen because healthcare is simply put, a human right. It’s truly obscene that these for-profit companies have been gouging patients across the country and notably some of our most vulnerable residents, including older adults, individuals with chronic conditions, and people with disabilities. We cannot allow this to continue in Massachusetts.
Last week I shared how Steward, a for-profit company that bought up community hospitals and ran them into the ground, has caused immense damage to our communities. Just last Friday we learned that Steward is planning to close two hospitals: Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, which is absolutely devastating and will put many lives further at risk. I will continue to advocate to the state administration to ensure care remains accessible and that these facilities remain open.
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Protecting the right to shelter
Governor Healey announced a horrible and inhumane policy that put a five-day limit on shelter stays for “nonpriority families”. After five days, families must leave and wait six months or more for a placement in an emergency shelter. Essentially, Massachusetts’ right-to-shelter law, which since 1983, guarantees all homeless families with children and pregnant people access to shelter, is being ignored. This policy will disproportionately impact migrants.
Yesterday I supported efforts led by the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Mass Law Reform Institute, and Homes for All Massachusetts with fellow legislators for a rally to push Governor Healey to change her mind. Some advocates are also considering legal action given these clear violations to our laws and our stated values. I’ll continue to fight for humane solutions.
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What’s next
Today and tomorrow are the last days of session, which means a lot of legislation will likely move, and have details negotiated in the next 48 hours. So I’ll keep you posted on what takes place sometime next week. This also means that I’ll likely be staying up all night voting at the State House 😱. Last year we were in session from the afternoon of July 31st until 10:13am August 1st.
I tried to document the disorienting night two years ago, this is me at 6am. Wish me luck! |
Event updates on Beacon Hill and in Somerville My birthday celebration
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to my birthday celebration last week! I'm so deeply grateful to every voter, volunteer, activist and advocate who has made it possible for us to make positive changes to our community. I'm only able to do what I do thanks to your continued support!! |
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Canvass Launch
Team Erika had an action packed weekend this past weekend. On Saturday, we went out and spoke with neighbors to discuss issues that matter most to them followed by a birthday BBQ cookout! We also were so honored to be joined by members of Somerville for Palestine, who came out to knock doors on Sunday! A huge thank you to all who have volunteered their time to help during this campaign! I appreciate you all so much!
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Join us for office hours
I will be hosting more office hours after the end of the legislative session (July 31). Please join us to ask any questions you may have about state and local government! Or just drop by to say hi and grab some drinks and snacks! -
Tuesday August 13th, 6-8pm, at Seven Hills Park, with Ward 6 City Councilor Lance Davis and Ward 6 School Committee Member Ellenor Barish
- Monday August 19th, 6-8pm, at the Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave with Ward 3 City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen and Ward 3 School Committee Member Sarah Philips
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Can’t make it? Please reach out anytime to erika@electerika.com or via phone at 857-264-1096, feel free to call or text, if I don’t pick up, leave a message and I or my team will call you right back. |
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