HOPE — On Saturday, May 4, Rep Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, joined Rep. William Pluecker, I-Warren; Rep. Ann Matlack, D-St. George; Rep., Jeffrey Evangelos, I-Friendship; Sen. Dave Miramant, D-Camden; and Rep. Anne “Pinny” Beebe-Center,D-Rockland, at the Hope Town Hall Community Room for a conversation with Amy Gallant, director for Advocacy and Outreach for Maine AARP.

Several concerned community members also joined to discuss issues around the high cost of prescription drugs in Maine, and ways in which pending bills can protect seniors and all taxpayers from price gouging by drug companies, and help people get the drugs they need at a price they can afford.

LD 1162, “An Act to Further Expand Drug Price Transparency," will require more disclosure of drug production, research, and development costs, marketing and advertising costs and actual costs paid upon purchase.

LD 1272, "An Act to Increase Access to Low-cost Prescription Drugs," would create a state-administered program to wholesale import a select group of drugs from Canada.

LD 1499, "An Act to Establish the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board," would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to examine drug prices and set fair and affordable payment rates that would apply to purchasers throughout the health care system. 

"Mainers know firsthand what it’s like to get caught in a financial crunch when it comes to paying for prescription drugs," said Gallant, who has set up AARP community conversations from Portland to Machias. "The increasing cost of medications is hitting older Mainers particularly hard, which is why Maine AARP is committed to working with our state legislators to find viable solutions."