This morning as I rubbed my sleepy eyes, a smile popped on my face. I read the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) Advocacy Alert regarding the Mylan and the EpiPen® epinephrine auto-injector, waking us up, “need your help to keep the focus on solutions, not just finger-pointing”. I could not agree with this more! FARE is calling up our food allergy community to contact our Congressional rep and voice our needs TODAY! The hearing is Wednesday!
Please read FARE’s Advocacy Alert, “Let Congress Know Epinephrine Must Be Affordable” and take action.
Seize this moment to make a very important difference about access to affordable epinephrine!
We are all in clear agreement that EpiPen® prices are out-of-control. For me, this is issue goes far beyond EpiPen® as I am experiencing the same with my asthma medications. They have jumped in prices six times for some items. The Auvi-Q® was so expensive, I could only afford one set for my son, I purchased the Adrenaclick with a scant $80 price difference. The generic Epinephrine Injection, USP Auto-Injector, which in my town, ranges in price from $144 to $353 with a $100 off coupon applied. This story is not just a Mylan situation, but an industry wide healthcare crisis. Please take a few minutes today to write Congress. As FARE shared this morning…
We need a health care system that balances affordability with innovation, ensures access to live-saving medications for all, and encourages meaningful competition.
As I discussed in my Huffington Post piece about the late Nevada State Senator Debbie Smith, “Protecting People with Life-Threatening Allergies:Remembering Senator Debbie Smith”, law makers can not make good decisions without hearing from constituents.
This is fact.
I know we are all feeling angry and upset as we light up social media, but the real work is done behind the scenes and it is time for us, as a nation and the food allergy community to do the right thing and donate our time to write a short note. Give up social media time today and write a quick letter to Congress instead.
The secret to writing a letter to any law maker is so easy, you’re doing to be thrilled! Here it is: just be honest, polite and yourself.
Yup, it is that easy. Most of all, don’t forget your ask. Write out clearly what you are seeking. For example, “Dear Senator Harry Reid, I need you to support new law or reform that will help me afford all of my medications, including epinephrine auto-injectors”. You don’t need to write a piece of prose that will impress or win awards.
Just be heard.
My grammar is need of help, but this is the one time I don’t give it a second thought. I just want my voice to be heard and guess what? Congress wants to hear that voice too. You are an important part of this confusing and frustrating puzzle and your time will create change.
Happy writing!
Disclaimer: FARE nor any other company or organization has asked me to share this information. My personal goal has been to use this blog to help raise up my food allergy community and to offer ideas that folks may or may not like (we are all beautifully different and require unique solutions). The purpose is to keep this conversation going regarding lifestyle, advocacy,etc. and to simply share.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..