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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Survey: Insulin Costs Weigh Heavily on WA Families

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Thursday, February 13, 2020   

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A new survey shows the rising cost of prescription drugs is causing mountains of stress for many Washington state families.

In particular, skyrocketing insulin prices are causing families to make tough decisions, according to the AARP Washington survey.

One in five families says it has to make adjustments to accommodate costs, such as cutting back on food or electricity, taking less medication than prescribed or even skipping a dose.

Tina Ghosn is a mother of three children with diabetes. She says she's fortunate not to be in the tough position of many families, but even with her insurance covering 80% of the cost, the bill is high.

"Just the insulin alone, you know, costs roughly $6,000 a year for us just to keep the kids alive with the insulin," she points out.

Ghosn supports bills in the Washington State Legislature to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month and create a centralized purchasing process for the drug.

The AARP survey shows strong support for these approaches, with 93% of respondents agreeing with capping costs and 83% supporting the state negotiating prices.

Ghosn says the United States should be able to follow other countries, where people pay far less to pharmaceutical companies for drugs such as insulin.

"A lot of people in the United States can't pay it, but just because some of us can doesn't mean that we should have to just because it's a way for them to line their pockets and basically hold us hostage because my kids can't live without it," she states.

The AARP survey finds people also support price controls on prescription drugs beyond insulin.

Some 80% strongly or somewhat support out-of-pocket cost caps, 87% believe drug companies should be required to disclose how prices are set and 91% say it should be easier for generic drugs to come to the market.


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