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Vote No on Issue 2 - Rx Drugs

Dear Colleagues,

The Ohio Federation of Teachers had lengthy debate this past weekend concerning Issue 2 - the one about prescription drugs.  It is extremely complicated, as is any comparison of Rx plans.  We decided to recommend voting NO on Issue 2.
 
I have pasted the three main reasons from our AFT sister organization, the Ohio Nurses Association (since they probably know more about this stuff than we do).  I have also included their list of other Ohio organizations that oppose Issue 2.
 
In Union,
Ari Klein
CHTU President
 
 

It would actually raise the cost of prescriptions.

The language states that no public entity is to pay more than the lowest amount paid by the VA system. This is problematic because rebates are not taken into consideration, and therefore in many instances, medications would cost more than what the state is currently negotiating.


It would restrict access to medication.

The VA system has its own formulary. Therefore, patients would lose access, or pay the top-dollar cost, if their medication is not within the VA formulary.


It cannot be operationalized.

The VA system does not make their contracts public, and they do not intend to make those contracts public. This creates barriers to operationalization because there is no way to find out the details of the VA contracts – the foundation of the entire ballot initiative.


ONA is an association built on integrity, and we cannot support an initiative that would have adverse effects on our patients. We are committed to working with key stakeholders to find the right solution to lowering drug prices for Ohio’s patients.


Organizations Opposing Issue 2


  • Ohio State Medical Association
  • Ohio Hospital Association
  • Ohio Children’s Hospital Association
  • Ohio Osteopathic Association
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter
  • American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ohio
  • Ohio Pharmacists Association
  • Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association
  • Ohio Hematology Oncology Society
  • Ohio Ophthalmological Society
  • Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association
  • Healing Hearts of Central Ohio
  • Equitas Health
  • Ohio Society for Health System Pharmacists
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio 
  • Mental Health America of Franklin County
  • The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers 
  • Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
  • Prevention Action Alliance
  • National Community Pharmacists Association
  • Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
  • Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association
  • Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness
  • The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland & Northern Ohio
  • Butler County Medical Society
  • The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Columbus and Vicinity
  • Columbus Branch NAACP
  • Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice
  • PERI, Public Employee Retirees, Inc.
  • Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce 
  • Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Dayton Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Employers Health Purchasing Corporation
  • Ohio Manufacturers’ Association
  • ACT Ohio – Ohio’s Affiliated Construction Trades
  • The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
  • Ohio Grocers Association 
  • The Buckeye Institute 
  • Ohio State Grange
  • Toledo Area Small Business Association 
  • Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Ohio
  • The American Legion, Department of Ohio
  • Department of Ohio Marine Corps League
  • Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers 
  • Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Commissioners
  • Italian American War Veterans, Ohio Post 34 
  • Jewish War Veterans, Department of Ohio
  • Catholic War Veterans, Department of Ohio
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Ohio
  • Military Officers Association of America, Ohio Council of Chapters
  • Korean War Veterans Association, Department of Ohio
  • Ohio National Guard Association
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
  • Concerned Veterans of America
  • The Retired Enlisted Association
  • BioOhio
  • Biotechnology Innovation Organization
  • Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association



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