Dear Senator Booker, 

My Name is Owen and I have had type one diabetes since I was 8 years old. Currently, I am 17 years old and am in the 12th grade.

Senator Booker, I am writing to ask that you fight against the pharmaceutical industry’s corrupt practices. While in office, you have set a passive relationship with the pharmaceutical industry. In 2017, you rejected a bill that allowed U.S. citizens to obtain pharmaceutical drugs at a cheaper price from Canada. However, your propensity to vote no aligns with the $461,941 you received from the pharmaceutical industry from 2013 to 2017 (opensecrets.org). Not only was this money given to you by a corrupt industry, but some was taken from people you are supposed to represent. Senator Booker, you lost sight of your elected purpose: to serve the people. What we need are laws that end corporate corruption and allow citizens to be healthy. It’s time to step up.

As a type one diabetic, I have experienced some of the corruption in the pharmaceutical industry myself. Similarly to how everyone needs oxygen to survive, I need insulin. Each vial of insulin costs around $350. This substantial amount of money could be spent on bills, however, my parents must spend it on something essential to my survival. Insulin and other medicines that people need to survive should be free. Corrupt pharmaceutical companies and negligent politicians murder those who can not afford these medicines. We need regulations that will lower these prices and save lives. Negligence will not be tolerated as it is time to tackle corruption. 

Since becoming diabetic, I have come to realize what our elected officials need to do. Our elected officials need to fight for the people. Our elected officials need to fight the corrupt pharmaceutical industry. Our elected officials need to help keep diabetics, like me, alive. Senator Booker, this is a David versus Goliath story, but in our case David needs a little assistance. 

I would appreciate your help and ask that you please send me a response informing me of your plan to end the corruption in the pharmaceutical industry.

Thank you for your time and considering my call for changes to the pharmaceutical industry.