Prescription Justice NSAC Endorses Beasley for U.S. Senate Seat
Author: Lauren Reynolds,* President, National Student Advocacy Committee (NSAC). NSAC brings together student advocates across the country to build support for and further Prescription Justice’s legislative and policy agenda to end the crisis of high drug prices. The NSAC authors are proudly responsible for their content.
The Prescription Justice National Student Advocacy Committee is endorsing Cheri Beasley for U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Here’s why:
With 34 of the 100 senate seats up for grabs during the November election and several key races in battleground states, many candidates are declaring robust platforms on a variety of issues. With 6 in 10 adults taking at least one prescription medication and 8 in 10 adults considering prescription drug prices to be unreasonable, healthcare and prescription drug prices are at the top of many voting Americans' minds.
With incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) retiring, the North Carolina senate race has become one to watch. In 2021, North Carolina adults overwhelmingly support policies to lower drug prices: 81% support the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to establish acceptable costs for drugs and 84% support prohibiting companies from charging more than prices abroad. The two leading candidates are Cheri Beasley and Ted Budd. Disregarding other policy differences, their prescription drug and healthcare platforms are wildly different. Beasley appears far more supportive than her opponent on policies to lower drug prices.
Cheri Beasley is a member of the Democratic party and has served in various North Carolina government offices since 2008. She served for the North Carolina 12th judicial district from 1999 to 2008 and for the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 2008 to 2012 before joining the North Carolina Supreme court as an associate justice in 2012. In 2019, Beasley was promoted to chief justice.
Beasley is outspoken about prescription drug prices. In March 2022, Beasley vowed to protect and expand the Affordable Care act. In a public statement on her campaign website it is stated, “Cheri supports expanding the Affordable Care Act with a public option, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions. She will support Governor Cooper’s efforts to expand Medicaid and will work to increase resources for rural hospitals and health care providers.”
Representing its 13th congressional district, Congressman Ted Budd (R-NC) recently won the North Carolina Senate GOP primary following an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Throughout his campaign and his time in office, Budd has taken a firm stance against the Affordable Care Act and other legislation that could lead to taming prescription drug costs. During his three terms in congress, Budd voted against the Build Back Better Act, American Rescue Plan, and H.R.3 (Lower Drug Costs Now Act).
Between the two candidates, it’s clear that Beasley’s policies align more firmly with the goals of Prescription Justice to lower drug prices. That’s why NSAC supports Beasley and recommends North Carolinians get out and vote for her!
* Lauren Reynolds is a senior at the University of North Carolina majoring in media and journalism and political science.