Dear Editor,
I’m a disabled veteran, and my Medicare Part D coverage is through TRICARE for Life, which uses Express Scripts. That’s how I get about 90 percent of my prescriptions.
If that goes away, my costs won’t just go up a little. They could jump by 300 percent or more. That’s not something I can absorb, and I know I’m not the only one in that position.
In addition, I have Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) and cannot take some medications due to mammalian byproducts, i.e. gelatin capsules). Many of us with AGS have to transfer capsule medications into vegan capsules or use specialty (compounding) pharmacies in order to make our medications safe. There are no specialty pharmacies near me and those I have used are only accessible by mail order.
I also have received medications through the VA who are strictly mail order service and may therefore lose that option. That’s why I’m concerned about HB 1959 and SB 2040. These bills would shut down chain pharmacies and disrupt mail-order prescription services that a lot of veterans, seniors, and families rely on every day. For many of us, that’s the only way we can consistently and affordably get our medication.
I keep hearing that independent pharmacies will fill the gap, but that doesn’t add up. They don’t have the capacity to take on that many patients, and people will end up driving farther, waiting longer, or going without the medications they need.
This isn’t a small change. It’s something that could seriously disrupt access to care across the state. I’m asking lawmakers to vote no.
Sincerely,
Randall Richardson
