Leader Isaacsohn, Commissioner Driehaus Statement on Affordability Crisis, Donald Trump's Visit to Cincinnati

COLUMBUS - Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) and Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus today released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's visit to Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

President Trump is visiting Hamilton County amid an affordability crisis for the people of Ohio. Ohioans have seen their insurance premiums skyrocket while the cost of medicine continues to rise. More than 700,000 Ohioans remain uninsured, and many more are paying higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs each year for coverage that delivers less. All of this is happening while health insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) make record profits for their shareholders. In fact, three PBMs control roughly 80 percent of the prescription drug market in the United States, giving them enormous power over drug pricing and what medications patients can access.

The situation is clear: corporate profits are being prioritized over patients' health and people's lives. In Hamilton County, this is making life harder for thousands of residents. That is why the county is suing drug makers, PBMs, and distributors to recover what is owed to taxpayers. Ohioans have been overcharged for insulin and other drugs for years, and the President's visit does nothing to address those fundamental challenges.

"Ohioans are paying too much for prescription drugs, too much for health insurance premiums, and far too much for a healthcare system that delivers for investors and corporations by squeezing patients and families. I appreciate President Trump highlighting high drug prices, but sticking his name on a program is not the same as solving the problem. Ohioans need solutions that provide more healthcare coverage for less, drug prices that don't bankrupt you just because you got sick, and a healthcare system that prioritizes patients over profits," said Leader Isaacsohn.

"While the President promotes this new drug plan, Hamilton County taxpayers are paying the cost of his misguided tariff policies which have produced funding gaps of millions of dollars on local projects, including a $5.8 million cost increase to the Regional Safety Complex. Words must be matched with action that actually reaches our community. That's why we're combating drug prices by taking direct legal action against the drug companies who have unlawfully inflated the cost of life-saving insulin," said Commissioner Driehaus.

Commissioner Driehaus and Minority Leader Isaacsohn stand ready to work with anyone including President Trump and leaders in Columbus who are serious about bringing costs down for Ohioans and fixing our healthcare system. That means being honest and direct about who is benefiting from the status quo and being willing to take them on to deliver meaningful change for Ohio citizens.