The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate in this race.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 5, 2017
Contact: Dave Jacobson, (818) 943-2348
Maclen Zilber, (510) 508-9142
Jacobson & Zilber Strategies
BIG PHARMA ADVERSARY ED HERNANDEZ UNVEILS NEW DIGITAL VIDEO
California State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez’ Ad, “Life or Death” Highlights Real Life Impact of Skyrocketing Drug Prices Through Testimonial from Patient Kendall Renee
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — In the heat of California’s legislative battle over SB-17, a drug transparency bill which aims to address the rising costs of prescription medicine, today State Senator and Health Committee Chair Dr. Ed Hernandez, who authored the bill, released a new digital video ad in his campaign for California Lt. Governor that shines a spotlight on the skyrocketing prices of life-saving drugs.
Senator Dr. Hernandez’ digital video, titled, “Life or Death,” features a moving testimonial from Kendall Renee, a nationally renowned activist and singer, who is allergic to more than 95% of foods and carries at least four EpiPens with her at all times.
Renee, whose story has been reported on nationally, from Good Morning America to Ability Magazine and more, used to pay $90 per EpiPen. Today the same drug costs her over $600 each.
To view Hernandez’ “Life or Death” spot, click on the screen shot below:
Senator Dr. Hernandez, a candidate for California Lieutenant Governor, secured enough votes for SB-17 to pass in the State Senate this legislative session. It’s now being considered by California’s State Assembly.
Previously, in 2016, the Senator brought up a similar bill, SB 1010, but it was killed due to big pharma’s enormous influence in the state capitol. Since then, a number of other states across the United States have joined California’s effort to enhance transparency around drug pricing, as outlined by the National Academy of State Health Policy’s piece, “Lowering Drug Costs: Transparency Legislation Sets Off Flurry of New State Approaches.”
Also, in September of 2016, Senator Dr. Hernandez invited the maker of the EpiPen, Mylan, and it’s CEO to testify before a Senate Health Committee hearing to discuss it’s recent price gouging and exploitation of patients. Mylan declined the Senator’s invitation.
Unshaken by big moneyed special interests, Hernandez not only has taken on Big Pharma but also fought Big Tobacco, as the architect of California’s landmark law to raise the state’s smoking age to 21.
In addition to today’s news, Senator Hernandez has raised over $2 million for the statewide effort and has locked in widespread support.
To view Senator Hernandez’ “Record of Progress,” digital video ad, click here or on the screen shot below.
Several months back, Senator Hernandez released his first digital video, titled “A California Story,” which can be viewed by clicking on the screen image below:
Beyond today’s announcement, Senator Dr. Hernandez’ campaign has released an expansive list of over 400 endorsements from grassroots activists, community leaders, federal, state and local elected officials, public safety groups and close to 50 labor unions.
A husband, father, grandfather, practicing optometrist, and local businessman, “Dr. Ed” (as he is known to his patients) has spent his life bringing quality eye care to predominantly low-income communities. As a health care provider, the need to improve access to health care for all Californians is what first drove him to run for office.
Since being elected to the Assembly in 2006 and the Senate in 2010, Dr. Ed Hernandez has been a leader on the implementation of federal health care reform – helping expand access to affordable health care, control costs, and improve the network of providers so people can actually get quality care when they need it. Dr. Ed has been a champion by expanding educational opportunity to qualified students overlooked by our public schools and universities, as well as a major proponent for government reform, including fixing a broken initiative system too often hijacked by billionaires and wealthy corporations. Dr. Ed Hernandez is running to take this experience, leadership, and vision to the next level by serving the people of California as their Lieutenant Governor.
For more information, please visit www.edhernandez4ca.com.
*Titles for Identification Purposes Only.
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