1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: Scott's loan return. You're seven hundred WL. Here we go 2 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:08,560 Speaker 1: back half the week. We are good, sew. Here's what 3 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: you need to know. Pharmaceuticals very expensive, especially insulin. If 4 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: you are on insulin, you know how expensive that is. 5 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: And the Federal Trade Commission a number of states and cities, 6 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:26,479 Speaker 1: and now Hamilton County, Ohio suing three pharmacy benefit managers 7 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: at ECBs, care Mark, Express Scripts and optim Rx, as 8 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:36,200 Speaker 1: well as Eli, Lilly, Novo, Nordisk, and another manufacture, and 9 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: those comprise about ninety six ninety seven percent of the 10 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 1: insulin market. And the reason they're suing them is for 11 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: allegedly fixing insulin and diabetes drug prices. So right now, 12 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: if you look at the cost it what have cost them? 13 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: Because about now less than are around two dollars a 14 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 1: vile to make that sells for literally hundreds of times 15 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 1: that we're talking one to three hundred times what the 16 00:00:56,200 --> 00:01:00,319 Speaker 1: cost is. And the suit alleges illegal price manipulation on 17 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: this is County Commissioner Denise Treehouse. Welcome back to the show, Denise. 18 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: How are you. 19 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 2: I'm good, good morning, Scott. 20 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 1: Good Mark. You seem healthy. I'm healthy in this regard. 21 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 1: I am not on insulin, and I also don't think 22 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: I have anyone of my immediate family on insulin. But 23 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 1: I hear the horror stories. 24 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 2: Oh, there are many, many people that use insulin. It's 25 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 2: a life saving drugs. And in Hamilton County we've got 26 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 2: about eighty eight hundred county employees and family members that 27 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 2: use insulin, and that. 28 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: I believe is the highest drug category for coverage, right, yeah, yeah. 29 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 2: Fromenty twenty three to twenty twenty five, this diabetes medication 30 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 2: was the single highest cost prescription drug category for the county. 31 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 1: Okay, So what triggered the county to jump in this lawsuit? 32 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 2: Now? 33 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 1: Was there a particular spiking costs complaints from employees or 34 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 1: was it because the FTC settled with Express Scripts and said, hey, 35 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 1: there's an opportunity here to go after the other pharmacy 36 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: benefit managers and certainly the drug manufacturers. 37 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 2: Well, prosecutor pillage this to our attention, to be fair, 38 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 2: I didn't. This wasn't my idea, although I love the 39 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:09,679 Speaker 2: idea because other communities, as you just said, were waging lawsuits. 40 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:13,119 Speaker 2: They're about five hundred and fifty other entities, whether they're 41 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 2: state cities, health plans and so they are, you know, 42 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 2: weighing in on this, and we didn't want to miss 43 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 2: the boat. It kind of reminds me of the opioid 44 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:26,359 Speaker 2: settlements where we were chewing and then we joined others 45 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 2: in that lawsuit to bring some resources down to Hamilton County. 46 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: All right, No, that makes sense. I know that the 47 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: defendants here in this is in case the companies point 48 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:37,960 Speaker 1: out that previous insulin pricing cases have been dropped or 49 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,799 Speaker 1: lost or settled for no money. What makes you think 50 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 1: this time is the magic charm, the magic bullet in 51 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: Hamlin County and the other areas of successful days. 52 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, we're not paying anything upfront to 53 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 2: wage the lawsuit because we only pay if we win, 54 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,839 Speaker 2: and so much like the opioid settlement, right, so we're 55 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 2: not no money lost to hear. But also what we 56 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 2: know is that, as you said, the cost of insulin 57 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 2: is skyrocketed, but the cost to produce insulin has gone down, 58 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 2: and so we are waging that they are colluding. They 59 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 2: are it's false price fixing, and so that's what we're 60 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 2: saying in the lawsuit. And I think we've got a 61 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 2: really good case in winning, as do five hundred and 62 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 2: forty nine other jurisdiction. 63 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, in the drug manufacturer as they say that the 64 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 1: out of pocket costs are pretty low. Lily's been claiming listen, 65 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: it's like less than fifteen bucks a month on average. 66 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 1: So if the math mass there, if employees aren't paying 67 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: hundreds of per mile out of pocket, who's actually bearing 68 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: the inflated costs? That's the big question is taxpayers to 69 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: the county plan And that's why the county's evolved because 70 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: this is taxpayer money. 71 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: Well, we're paying thirteen million dollars for insulin coverage for 72 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 2: the county. That's a lot of money. And if we 73 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 2: can reduce that cost because we don't have these folks 74 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 2: colluding about price fixing, then we reduce the cost to 75 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 2: the county, and that translates the cost savings for. 76 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: The tax payers. The PBMs argue that they're actually the counterweight, 77 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 1: that they balance pharmaceutical the pharmaceutical monopoly with this and 78 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: that they can negotiate down prices. You how would you 79 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 1: respond to that? Why they included in the suit? 80 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 2: Then well, that's that's a question for the prosecutor. I mean, 81 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:16,599 Speaker 2: I'm not an attorney, and I don't pretend to be one, 82 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 2: but the process. 83 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: That's why I like you, Denise, That's why we like you. 84 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, I only say what I know. But Connie and 85 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 2: her team have identified the as you say, the drug 86 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: manufacturers and the benefit managers as part of this lawsuit. 87 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 2: I trust that, and I'm more than happy to pile 88 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 2: on and say, yes, this sounds like a good idea. 89 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,839 Speaker 2: We need to go after these guys and say the 90 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 2: taxpayer some money. 91 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 1: That's what I'm calling you. You were right in the 92 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: coach of Cokannie's doing all the talk and you were 93 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 1: standing in the background. I like that. 94 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: I like that. 95 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: You're going to a look crowdit for standing back there 96 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: and ride the evape trail. She is Denniy's freehouse Hamlet 97 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 1: County Commissioner. We're talking about the county now jumping on 98 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 1: the lawsuit bandwag and no cost to the tax payers either, 99 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: because there's a contingency basis. They went to the back 100 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 1: of the proverbial phone book and found lawyers out to 101 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:05,040 Speaker 1: think out of phillyre somewhere and said, Okay, we're going 102 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 1: to try this as a class and it's Philadelphia. It's also, 103 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:11,839 Speaker 1: as I mentioned, other states are getting involved with us 104 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: as well. I think Hamilton in the first county to 105 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: do this, and they're upset about obviously high insulin prices. 106 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:21,239 Speaker 1: You need that to live, and the costs of production 107 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: are dwarfed by the cost it actually winds up paying 108 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: by taxpayers and those people who need that medicine to live. 109 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,800 Speaker 1: We're talking one hundred two hundred, three hundred percent mark 110 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 1: up on that, and that is the cause for the 111 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: suit here too. But part of this is how much 112 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: of this is should be at the federal government's feet though, 113 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: you know, the opia you mentioned at the onset Denise 114 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 1: about this kind of models the opiate lawsuit. But you know, 115 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: as I recall with opiate, it's one of the big problems, 116 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: was it no one ever addressed was well, you know, 117 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: the FDA mandated, the government mandated that pain be treated 118 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 1: as a fifth vital sign, and so that encouraged the 119 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: over prescription of these things that later the government said, 120 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: well they're bad for you. O. Well, you had a 121 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: hand of that, you drove that. I think the same 122 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,600 Speaker 1: thing is here. You know, the one of the big 123 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 1: problems is patent ever greening. I'm out of here familiar 124 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 1: with that, but the original patents expired a decade ago, 125 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: and what they do is they just slightly reformulated to 126 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: keep the patent alive to make more money. Is that 127 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 1: something you can be cleaned up by Congress? 128 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:17,400 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I think we should be tackling this 129 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 2: at all levels, of course, but this one is you know, 130 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 2: and by the way, we hope to be part of 131 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 2: a multi jurisdictional litigation that's coming out of New Jersey. 132 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 2: So that's what this is about. So we are filing 133 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 2: it individually. And if we don't get to be part 134 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 2: of the multi jurisdiction litification, that's fine, we'll pursue it 135 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:39,359 Speaker 2: on our own. But the idea here, it's much like 136 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,920 Speaker 2: the opioids, is to join together with others that are 137 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 2: doing the same thing to bring down resources to our 138 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: local community. If we don't file suit, we miss out. 139 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,360 Speaker 2: And why would we do that. I mean, you know 140 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:54,240 Speaker 2: so because so many others are in and yes, we 141 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 2: should tackle this at all levels, but we don't want 142 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 2: Hamilton County to be left out of you know, what's 143 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 2: happened in many other states and jurisdictions. 144 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 1: I always go on record, God, I always hate what 145 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 1: politics is doing in this country right now, because it's 146 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: so mindless in bottom feeding and my side v your side, 147 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 1: And I'm not alleging you doing that, but I'd go 148 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 1: back and go you know, this has been a problem 149 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: for a long time. Why are we waiting until now 150 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: to address it? Because this has been a problem under 151 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: Republican administrations as well as Democrats. And the lawsuit targets 152 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: PBS and manufactures. But like I said, you know, the 153 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: rebate system we can get into that is the core problem. 154 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: But like I said, you know, whether it's that or 155 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: the patent issue, patent evergreening, or the PBM scheme that 156 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: requires legislation to fix, not litigation, what's forcing Congress to 157 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: actually do their job here other than going after the 158 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 1: I guess the people are profiting it from which feels 159 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: good and it's very, very populous, But again, it doesn't 160 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: address the core issue, and that is government helped create 161 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: this whole thing. 162 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 2: Well, and I you know, I can't speak to why 163 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 2: the government at the federal level is not acting on this. 164 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 2: I mean I can't speak for them. 165 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 1: No money is why they're not acting on it. 166 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 2: Well, well, you know you have to ask them. And 167 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 2: again I'm not going to speak for other people, but 168 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 2: this litigation out of New Jersey is the prompt here. 169 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 2: That is the reason for the action. Now there's something 170 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 2: going on, it's got legs. We want to take advantage 171 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 2: of that. We want to be part of it. And 172 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:19,679 Speaker 2: so that from my understanding, and again and prosecutor brought 173 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 2: this to it, but that is a prompt on by 174 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 2: way of timing, because there's something rolling down the tracks, 175 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 2: and if we don't jump on and file suit, we 176 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 2: miss and so we don't want to miss that. So 177 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 2: the opportunity is now. 178 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:33,560 Speaker 1: Okay, if you win, though, get what you want in 179 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: your fourth lower prices. What's going to prevent these companies 180 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 1: from simply exiting the Ohio market. 181 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 2: I don't know the answer to that. 182 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 1: I mean, that's a third round. I don't know that 183 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 1: they will, but that's a third round. Like, hey, if 184 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: we can't make money off this, then we're out. We've 185 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 1: seen that happen elsewhere and I don't know if that 186 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 1: happened here or not, but that's that's pretty sobering. And 187 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: then where you get your diabetes medication. 188 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 2: Well, I'm not suggesting that these companies shouldn't make money. 189 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 2: We're saying that they shouldn't be colluding with one another 190 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 2: to jack up prices on taxpayers. That's what we're saying. 191 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:07,560 Speaker 2: I mean, I am not used to be a small 192 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 2: business owner, as I've told you before. So you know, 193 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 2: businesses make money. That's fine, they've got their nets, they're 194 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 2: selling insulin, that's great. But to collude and falsely elevate 195 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 2: prices is something entirely different. And so that's what we're saying. 196 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 2: We're not saying they shouldn't make money, and they will 197 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,839 Speaker 2: make money, but they shouldn't make as much as they 198 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 2: are by colluding with one another. 199 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: Gotcha, did you guys have to make going into this 200 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: to Connie share with you what the estimate of potential 201 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: recovery is here? How much money? 202 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 2: You know? I asked that question. So I just told 203 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 2: you that we're spending about thirteen million for this cost 204 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 2: of account. It's a lot of money, and so I mean, 205 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 2: I don't know the answer to that, but if it's 206 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 2: a few millions, that's really meaningful in a budget that's 207 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,319 Speaker 2: you know, strained and will be strained last year, it'll 208 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 2: be strained next year. But any money that we can 209 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,320 Speaker 2: find to help with that is going to be to 210 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 2: our benefits for sure? 211 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 1: Who would get the money? Does go back in the 212 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: general fund? Does it? Does it go directly towards prescription 213 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: prices and offset with the county pays? Does it go 214 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 1: to to the Bengals? Where's the money going? Somehow went there? 215 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: I think Mike Brown gets a percentage. I don't know 216 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 1: how this sits. Apparently in the master agreement is. 217 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 2: Your preoccupation with the bankers? But no, no, it'll go 218 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 2: into the general fund. And so then we have to 219 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 2: make a decision commissioners. You know, the general fund pays 220 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 2: for the deputies for for nine to one one call takers. 221 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 2: Are all the things that we've always talked about? Or 222 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:36,959 Speaker 2: is it a benefit to those that are in the 223 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 2: benefits system, the healthcare system of the county. And do 224 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 2: we offer some relief somewhere else for our employees or 225 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 2: do we put it more towards the general fund for 226 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 2: more general purposes? And that's something we'll have to decide. 227 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: Down the road. If this is successful, does that open 228 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: the door for other suits for other things that might 229 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: be expensive? I mean, do you just continue this path? 230 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 1: I'm not saying it's a bad path, but what open mind. Hey, 231 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 1: we got money, We're able to fix this. What's next. 232 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,200 Speaker 2: Well, I think we always should be open to an 233 00:11:07,240 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 2: opportunity when there's a big suit going on in multi 234 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 2: jurisdiction litigation, I think we should always be open to 235 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 2: piling on it is worthy, right, if it's worthy of 236 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 2: our attention. Again, we're not paying any money to do 237 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 2: this right now, it's on a contingent basis, So that's 238 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 2: the good news for the taxpayers. But yeah, I don't 239 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 2: know why we wouldn't look for opportunities to write size 240 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 2: things in Hamilton County. But again, you know, I'm not 241 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 2: the prosecutor, and so the prosecutor's job literally is to 242 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 2: file these actions with the support of the Commission, and 243 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 2: so that's what we're doing here. 244 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, I mean this has been a let's face it, 245 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: back to politics. This has been a talking point for 246 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:43,200 Speaker 1: Democrats for a long long time. I mean, it used 247 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 1: to be the insulin cost two dollars to make. That's 248 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 1: been thrown around for a long long time. And now 249 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: we're there's action on this. And you know, obviously Democrats 250 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 1: get hammered on cost of living issues, and now that's 251 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,439 Speaker 1: starting to turn the other way. But you know, I 252 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: think this is maybe a populist idea here that has 253 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: some legs, and find out exactly if you can get 254 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: some money back from these companies. I just wonder, why 255 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: don't we just address the route. As you said, that's 256 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 1: outside of your scope as a commissioner. I appreciate and 257 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,199 Speaker 1: understand that. I think we're both frustrated with the system 258 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: the way it is right now, especially with healthcare. I 259 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: don't know if this fixes it, but it does cost 260 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: some of that money back, because you know, if you 261 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: need insulin to live and you can't afford it, that's 262 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 1: a huge problem. And also that thirteen million dollars that 263 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: the county pays, and these are for people who have 264 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:28,679 Speaker 1: coverage because they work for the county. There's so many 265 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: people that don't. And that's a scary part well. 266 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 2: And you know, we don't want these companies taking advantage of, 267 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 2: you know, providing a drug that's life saving to people 268 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 2: in our community. I mean, it's insulting, I think. And 269 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 2: so when you particularly when you talk about insulin, because 270 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,439 Speaker 2: it's not like this is some drug that people may 271 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 2: or may not want to use. This is life saving. 272 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 2: People need the drug and to to collude over the 273 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:56,640 Speaker 2: prices of insulin, I think is an insult. I really do. 274 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 2: And so we're holding the companies accountable. I think that's 275 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,839 Speaker 2: what we should do. I think that's what frankly, people 276 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 2: expect of their elected officials. And so, you know what 277 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 2: we're doing it the time is right. I can't really 278 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 2: speak to the timing otherwise, but I know that the 279 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 2: timing is right here to join this suit coming out 280 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 2: of New Jersey, And so that's what we're doing. 281 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 1: Do you believe there's a collusion going on or is 282 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: that is that a fact? 283 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 2: Has it been proven that that is what is being alleged. 284 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's a tough one to prove that they're all 285 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: in on this together than saying, hey, it costs what 286 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: a cost. And the way the system is set up 287 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:33,079 Speaker 1: that that those who regulate the system allowed this to occur. 288 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 1: I think it'd be more of an indictment of the 289 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: of the politic of those again above us in Washington 290 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 1: versus the companies themselves. They've they've got to find a 291 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: way to make money. And it's kind of like you know, 292 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 1: the cries over you know, billionaires paying too few tax 293 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: as well. Okay, then fix the system, close those loopholes 294 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: that you allege are there. That's why are you beating 295 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:55,079 Speaker 1: down on the people who are smart enough to figure 296 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: that out. 297 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 2: I agree, But we just talked about the cost of 298 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 2: producing insulin going down, and yet the cost of buying 299 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 2: it is going up. So there's something going on here. 300 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 2: I think that doesn't make sense, and so I agree 301 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 2: with you that you know these are broader issues. We 302 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 2: can do what we can do here in Hamilton County 303 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 2: to protect the taxpayers here. That's my job and that's 304 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 2: what we're trying to do. And you know, it's not 305 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 2: as if others don't see what's happening. I mean, five 306 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty other jurisdictions of files too, So this 307 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 2: is a big movement and certainly people are paying attention. 308 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's on the heels of tobacco. It's on the 309 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 1: heels of the opiate issue as well, and this certainly 310 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: fits into that categories. Like the next thing is affordable 311 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: drugs insulin for crying outline. I mean, there's other drugs 312 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: out there. I think, like you know, the EpiPen thing. 313 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: Epinephrine is another in that effects far fewer people than 314 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: than insulin, but I'd imagine if this is successful, that 315 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 1: might be something that would be explored. It's a life 316 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: saving medication that you need. And you know, we heard 317 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: that for a long time. It's like, well they only 318 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: last I forgot, what is ninety days or six months 319 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: or something like that, and we've got to throw them 320 00:14:58,160 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 1: out and get a new one. And it's just simply 321 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 1: not affordable. We don't heard those crises as much anymore. 322 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: There are some I think there were some regulation that's 323 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: been done, but you know, there are plenty of drugs 324 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:07,160 Speaker 1: out there that you could wind up going after as 325 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: a result of this. 326 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 2: Well, that's right, and epiethin's are extremely expensive. So I've 327 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 2: got some personal experience with one of my relatives, right, 328 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 2: So yeah, I mean, I agree with you. And let's 329 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: not forget though that the benefit and this is a 330 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 2: little different from the opioid settlement money, but those dollars 331 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 2: that we are investing now because we were successful and 332 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 2: that lawsuit, are going directly into Hamilton County to save 333 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 2: lives and get people into treatment. I mean so, and 334 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 2: then it's coming through the foundation at the state level, 335 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 2: but there are direct payments coming to Hamilton County and 336 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 2: other jurisdictions in Hamilton County to the benefit of our constituents. 337 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 2: So this is real. The benefits are real. This is 338 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 2: a little different because it's going to the general fund, 339 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 2: but those are taxpayer dollars and so you know, I 340 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 2: just don't want to understate that there's a real benefit 341 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 2: here if we win and there's no cast involved to 342 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 2: do it, so you know, again, to me, it's just 343 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 2: a win win situation. So yeah, but the benefits can 344 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 2: be real and seen on the ground. 345 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: Has this fir amount in New Jersey? Have the litigators 346 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 1: giving you a timeline? No? 347 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 2: I asked that question too, and you know how attorneys 348 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 2: are They were, oh, yeah, not sure, you know we're 349 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 2: doing like all right, all right, I get it. So yeah, no, 350 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 2: I'm you know, I'm not an attorney, and I'm not 351 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 2: I'm not disappointed by it. 352 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: Yeah right, Well I'm sna. There's plenty attorneys out there, 353 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 1: have some of our good friends of mine, and then 354 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: there's people like yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it, get it. Hey, Denise, 355 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: thanks for jumping on this morning. Answer the question certainly 356 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 1: an interesting perspective. We're going to talk about this a 357 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: little bit behind your back if you don't mind, we'll 358 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 1: get some calls and from people affected by this and 359 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: you have a wonderful day. Thanks again for jumping on. 360 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 2: Hey can I ask you something? 361 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: Yes, ma'am. 362 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 2: Yes, So, I don't know how much time we have, 363 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 2: but we did do a big dedication yesterday out at 364 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 2: in Bonds Hill for the big building, the Mercy Building 365 00:16:59,120 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 2: out there. 366 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: Yes, right right right, yeah, yeah, please go ahead, yeah yeah. 367 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 2: So two days we named the street going up to 368 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:09,120 Speaker 2: the building, Pat McCollum Way. This is a named after 369 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:11,439 Speaker 2: a woman that took in many, many kids in our 370 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 2: community both foster care adoptive care, and was tragically killed 371 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,359 Speaker 2: not so long ago, and so we named the street 372 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 2: after her because of the nexus with jobs and family services, 373 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:25,440 Speaker 2: so we wanted to honor her legacy through naming the street. 374 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 2: But the building itself was owned by Mercy. We now 375 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,679 Speaker 2: have it. It's a consolidation of county services up in 376 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 2: one site, so lots of efficiencies here for jff d D, 377 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:41,680 Speaker 2: public health, addiction response, environmental services, and veteran services are 378 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 2: going to be up there. So it's centrally located in 379 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 2: the county. And I just want to say there's free parking. 380 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 2: There's free parking at this facility. There are a thousand 381 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:54,360 Speaker 2: spots out there, and so you don't I always hear 382 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 2: about the cost of parking, how terrible it is to 383 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 2: come downtown. That is no longer the case, and so 384 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 2: we're very excited about this. It's accessible to people that 385 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 2: need that kind of access, particularly veterans. So we're really 386 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 2: excited about the opening of the building and we dedicated 387 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 2: it yesterday. 388 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: You know, we were texting back and forth. I completely 389 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 1: forgot because I'm stupid to mention. I'm glad you brought 390 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:16,960 Speaker 1: that up because I wanted to definitely get a plug 391 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: in for that six I think sixty million dollars was 392 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: the cost. Now you also have This is the other 393 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: hard part here is this huge levey on the ballot 394 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: for children's services. But loves to revisit that maybe the 395 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 1: later date, because those two things go together. You got 396 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 1: the building, but now you got a fund. 397 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:32,120 Speaker 2: Well, the other thing is that we're getting out of 398 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 2: a bunch of different buildings because of all those departments. 399 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 2: We're in different buildings all over the city and so 400 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 2: as we just like the alms and depky Downtown is 401 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 2: a good example of it that is now going to 402 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 2: be converted into housing, as will a property up in 403 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 2: Walnut Hills. And so it's really great for the communities 404 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 2: because we're and you see this all over the country, 405 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 2: we're converting office space into residential and we need residential. 406 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,200 Speaker 2: So it's just really a great move for the county 407 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 2: and it's going to save money. 408 00:18:58,280 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 1: All right, I'm sure we'll talk about that a later 409 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: date with the love come up and Denise sall the best. 410 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: Thanks for jumping on. I appreciate you. 411 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, sure, thanks, all right, got. 412 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 1: Well, let me get a news update in. I want 413 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 1: to talk if you're on the insulin. I'm just curious 414 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 1: because I don't have anyone in my family that is, 415 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:13,160 Speaker 1: and that's a blessing for sure, because I know how 416 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: hard that is being diabetic, but the impact of that, 417 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:17,359 Speaker 1: I'm your wallet. And also, if you think this is 418 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: a good idea ensuing the drug companies to get the 419 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 1: price of insulin down, we'll talk about that, dex. I'll 420 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: give you some reasons as to why you know this 421 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 1: this whole scenario exists. I mentioned the government getting involved 422 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 1: in regulation that can easily fix on me easily but 423 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 1: fixed by Congress I want to touch on that in 424 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:35,080 Speaker 1: just minutes, and we'll get your phone calls in at 425 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:37,359 Speaker 1: five one, three, seven four nine, seven thousand, iHeartMedia and 426 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 1: seven hundred wi Wity Cincinnati's on Procter and Gamble. If 427 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 1: you've got someone there you would like for us to 428 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: recognize on the air, just text us their name at 429 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: five one eight eight one and be listening here on 430 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: seven hundred Wabiity