Higher drug costs are hurting Latinos in Fresno County and the state | Opinion

The Hispanic community has had an enormous impact on California, and at 39 percent of the population, it’s fair to say there is no California without Latinos. We’ve helped shape the state’s history, economy, politics, and culture — no doubt our legacy runs deep.

And yet, despite our impact and our successes, massive disparities in health care remain. As compared to other groups, Latinos in California are less likely to have health insurance and more likely to live in poverty and face poorer health outcomes. To top it off, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for Latino families to afford the rising cost of prescription drugs. That is why I’m calling on our lawmakers in Sacramento to make lowering prescription drug costs a priority.

Behind these sky-high prescription drug costs lies one culprit — big drug companies. In January alone, drug makers hiked up the price of nearly 1,000 drugs. With no accountability, drug companies will continue to raise their prices, all at the expense of our health.

Californians agree that prescription drugs should be affordable. A recent survey showed that 85% of California voters say that affordable employer-provided health care and prescription drug coverage is important to them. What’s more, when given a choice, 69% of voters would rather pick up a less expensive prescription at a certain pharmacy rather than a more expensive prescription from the pharmacy of their choice. Affordability clearly comes out as a top priority for Californians.

Lawmakers in California spend a lot of time talking about racial inequality in all its forms — housing, education, health care and criminal justice. What we don’t see often enough, however, is policy action to address health care and prescription drug inequalities. It is our hope that in 2023, lawmakers will be serious about combating racial inequities, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs for Latinos is a good place to start.

Here in California, Latinos make up 21 percent of all likely voters. We’re a critical voting bloc with the power to sway any election. It would be wise for our lawmakers to listen.

Our lawmakers have a real opportunity to start building a health care system that’s free from racial inequities. California has been on the forefront of change and progress before — let’s lead the way again with solutions that protect affordable options and hold big drug companies accountable.