Wasserman Schultz Invites Teen with Life-Threatening Illness and High Drug Costs to State Of The Union

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) announced today that Cooper City student Emily Kaufman will be her guest at the State of the Union in Washington, DC, February 4, 2020.

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and Kaufman, 15, will meet with the media on Tuesday, February 4^th (details below) to discuss their concerns about the threats to quality affordable health care access, and how big Pharma has passed along brutal prescription drug price hikes to American families.

Kaufman is a powerful singer who aspires to land on Broadway one day. She’s also is an insulin dependent diabetic who bravely faces this life-threatening condition every day, even as obscene prescription costs threaten her family’s financial security.

Wasserman Schultz invited Kaufman to highlight her medical-expense challenges, which sadly, is a story that families and patients across District 23 face. Wasserman Schultz is calling on President Trump and Congressional Republicans to stop threatening healthcare access for Americans with pre-existing conditions and support legislation to end Big Pharma’s price gouging of innocent patients like Kaufman.

“Emily had no control over the Type 1 diabetes disorder she will live with for the rest of life,” said Wasserman Schultz. “But the Senate, as the House has already done, could pass legislation tomorrow that would provide financial relief to her family and millions of others who are in the same tight financial spot caused by price-gouging pharmaceutical companies. Emily and her family deserve relief, and I hope President Trump sees her Tuesday night in the chamber. She’s one of millions of Americans who need immediate protection from the outrageous costs of prescription drugs.”

Kaufman’s diabetes is caused by the pancreas producing little or no insulin the body needs to metabolize sugar. Unlike the more common Type 2 diabetes, Emily's condition is not diet-related, and there is no cure. Like she does every day, on Tuesday night, Kaufman must regulate her insulin levels or risk grave illness, including coma.

“I’m so excited and honored to be asked to the State of the Union,” said Kaufman.  “I’m happy to be able to speak about the healthcare issues that are so important to me.”

Wasserman Schultz joined Democrats in passing 11 bills this Congress, to lower drug costs, protect people with pre-existing conditions, and reverse health care sabotage – including the CREATES Act, which was recently signed into law. The CREATES Act will make it easier for generic drugs to come to market, save taxpayer dollars and help lower prescription drug costs.

Wasserman Schultz has also championed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), landmark legislation that would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies to bring down prices and make those savings available to hardworking families across America.

Unfortunately, President Trump and Senate Republicans continue blocking legislation to lower costs and protect patients. Meanwhile, three days into this year, Pharma had already increased drug prices on more than 400 medicines. And President Trump’s lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act recently moved forward, once again putting the health care of millions in jeopardy.