At least 81 million Americans struggle to afford life-saving drugs. Many Americans believe prescription drugs are too expensive and prices should be lower. The Right Care Alliance (RCA) will teach 80 clinician and patient activists in MA, FL, CO, and DC about how drug prices are set and regulated. The RCA will train them to organize against the drug companies and the middle men who set prices; and to become leaders who train at least 100 other people in their communities.
At least 8% of Americans skip their medications because they can't afford them, and 25% struggle to pay for essential drugs. The price of essential medicines are being driven up by the drug companies that make them and by the middle men who sell them. By organizing clinicians and patients, and working with other activist groups, the RCA can put pressure on companies to stop gouging patients. To do this, RCA activists need training and support.
The RCA will work with and train clinician and patient advocates on community organizing skills and grassroots leadership. We will do this by running trainings, workshops, and interactive webinars, and providing local chapter leaders in 3 states and DC with biweekly coaching calls. The chapter leaders will learn to organize within their communities to fight against corporate drug power by recruiting new members and using Town Halls, rallies, protests, letter writing campaigns, and teach-ins.
This campaign will produce 500 trained activists in 3 states and DC who are actively mobilizing their local communities against the corporate powers that keep drug prices high. RCA members will pass on the training they receive to other activists, who will join them in the fight for affordable drugs in the US. Through these trainings, the RCA will create an army of experienced healthcare activists committed to the long haul of organizing to make drugs affordable for all who need them.
