Local Democratic leaders gathered Friday in Savannah to bring home a topic that will be a focus of the party’s national convention next week: medical costs and how the Biden administration has helped curb the expensive burden on voters with health problems.
Led by Edna Jackson, a state representative from Savannah, the group of Black women elected leaders and community activists showed their support for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and her vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota.
Jackson led the proceedings by crediting Harris for helping cap the cost of insulin for seniors. She also praised the federal government’s ability in negotiating prices with drug manufacturers on some of the most common and expensive drugs available to seniors on Medicare.
Jackson says that this change means hundreds of thousands of Georgia seniors will soon have access to necessary medications that treat cancer, diabetes, heart disease, blood clots and more. The event held at the Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care facility commemorated the anniversary of the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, what President Joe Biden describes as a crowning achievement of his administration.
“This building that we’re standing in front of, the Curtis V. Cooper, is one that presently does have the reduced medicine,” Jackson said. “As President, she, Kamala, will fight every day to lower costs and look out for the health and economic well-being of All Georgia, not just those at the top.”
Savannah Alderwoman Estella Shabazz, who is also the city’s mayor pro tem, added a reason why voters should choose the Harris-Walz ticket in the November presidential election.
“I am here today because I believe that no one in this country should have to choose between filling their life-saving prescriptions or putting food on the table for their families,” Shabazz said. “The Biden and Harris administration heard our needs, and they delivered.”
Letha Moore, a former elementary school teacher and community activist, has a sister who struggles with diabetes. She said that the Biden Administration cap on insulin prices at $35 a month allows her sister to put money towards housing and food without worrying about being able to afford her necessary medication.
“Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz are committed to building on this progress to further reduce health care costs for Georgia families,” Moore said. “Donald Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear he will make it harder for folks with chronic conditions like my sister.”
State Rep. Jackson warned voters that former President Donald Trump and the Project 2025 plan touted by members of his former administration would gut the federal health programs that cover Americans with pre-existing health conditions and that have helped moderate costs of prescriptions.
“Hard working seniors deserve to be able to retire with dignity at any age. That includes me,” Jackson said. “No one should be put in a position to choose between affording a prescription or paying the rent.”