The coronavirus pandemic has been a harsh reminder of the blatant racial disparities in American health care. Black and Brown Americans are not only more likely to contract the virus but also more likely to die from it.
The unfortunate reality is that this is nothing new. Americans of color are not only more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, but our nation’s health care system fails to provide them equitable access to the care and medications for chronic and acute conditions. One clear example of this systemic failure is the high price of prescription medication, which disproportionately affects and further marginalizes communities of color.
The high price of prescription drugs is an issue that has severe consequences for Americans across the country. In January, as the country fought to stabilize itself from a pandemic that had only further exacerbated inequity, major pharmaceutical companies implemented nearly 800 price hikes. As a result of this type of price gouging, many Americans have been forced to do without their prescription medication. Here in Delaware, 25% of families were unable to afford the medication prescribed to them by their doctors over the last year, resulting in both short-term and long-term health consequences.
However, while this type of price gouging affects families from all backgrounds, the racial wealth gap in this country exacerbates this issue for many Black and Brown Americans. A study carried out by the Brookings Institution found that the median net worth for a White family in this country is $171,000, while the median net worth for a Black family is just $17,000. This means that communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the high prices of prescription medication and are far more likely to struggle to pay for medication out-of-pocket.
A recent survey conducted by Harvard, which explored the experiences of Latino, Black and Native American communities during the coronavirus outbreak, found that about 9% of Latino households, 10% of Black households and 17% of Native American households reported that someone in their residence was unable to get the prescription drugs needed to manage a major health issue. The reality is that millions of Black and Brown families across America are being forced to go without the medication they need.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Right now, Medicare is not allowed to negotiate lower drug prices for Americans — which means drug companies can charge any price and increase prices at will. This year, Congress has the opportunity to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices set by pharmaceutical companies. That would bring relief to Americans, including patients of color, who are disproportionately impacted by these high prices.
It is imperative that our lawmakers step up and take crucial action to push back on a health care system that perpetuates racial inequity in this country. It is long past time for pharmaceutical companies to be held responsible for prioritizing profit maximization over the health of Americans, including marginalized communities, and for Congress to deliver relief to Delawareans struggling under high-priced drugs. Our congressional delegation here in Delaware, especially Democratic Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, must prioritize this issue and work with their colleagues in the Senate, along with the Biden administration, to pass Medicare negotiation into law this year.
Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden, D-Wilmington, serves District 2.
