Governor Steve Sisolak was presented some gifts unique to Mesquite. During the Democratic fundraiser held on Nov. 3 at the Eureka, Councilwoman Sandra Ramaker and Host Chris Miller present the Governor and other guests with a box of Danielle’s ‘Snowy Popcorn’ and a City of Mesquite Nevada jacket. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

On Sunday, Nov. 3, one year from the 2020 vote, Mesquite to Moapa Democrats celebrated the great state of Nevada, it’s democratic majority and hopes for future democrats during the first official fundraiser of the 2020 voting season.

With Nevada having a majority democratic strength in the legislature; they intend to keep it that way.

Councilwoman Sandra Ramaker and Elaine Hurd are leading the pack of supporters in Mesquite and organized an elegant and informative fundraising event which was held at the Eureka in their Grand Ball Room.

Chris Miller hosted the event and was thrilled to announce the guest speakers for the day which included Governor Steve Sisolak, Congressman Steven Horsford and Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick along with video speeches from both Senators Jackie Rosen and Catherine Cortez-Masto.

Governor Sisolak talked of his support for Nevada Seniors, renewable energy, support of Nevada’s teachers and other accomplishments in the state but his most personal favorite and one he is most proud of is the signing of a the bill into law for collective bargaining of state employees for the first time in the history of Nevada; this announcement came with great applause from the crowd.

Congressman Steven Horsford was generously welcomed by the crowd and applauded long and loudly.

He began, “We are one year out from the 2020 elections and your statement of being here today, being organized, mobilizing voters, making sure that everybody is registered to vote is what it’s all about, and I want to first start by thanking the Governor. It’s such a privilege to call you Governor and you make us proud every single day.  When Marilyn Kirkpatrick and I were in the legislature years ago we were dealing with Republican Governors, to have Steve Sisolak, the first Democratic Governor in 20 years setting the policies, setting the agenda and making sure the bills the legislature passes actually get adopted into law and not vetoed, we thank you.”

Congressman Horsford spoke of the recent vote to for the formal impeachment inquiry of the current President and how “Sobering it is to be in the House of Representative in this moment.”

Congressman Horsford also assured the crowd that beyond holding the administration accountable, work was still getting done in Washington.

Horsford said, “I am proud that under the house democratic leadership, we have done just that. In addition to that historic vote we just took on impeachment, we also passed, out of the House ‘Ways and Means Committee’ H.R.3 which establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs.”

According to Congress.gov, “The bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate prices for certain drugs (current law prohibits the CMS from doing so). Specifically, the CMS must negotiate maximum prices for (1) insulin products; and (2) at least 25 single source, brand name drugs that do not have generic competition and that are among the 125 drugs that account for the greatest national spending or the 125 drugs that account for the greatest spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA). The negotiated prices must be offered under Medicare and MA and may also be offered under private health insurance unless the insurer opts out.

The negotiated maximum price may not exceed (1) 120% of the average price in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom; or (2) if such information is not available, 85% of the U.S. average manufacturer price. Drug manufacturers that fail to comply with the bill’s negotiation requirements are subject to civil and tax penalties.”

The bill also makes a series of additional changes to Medicare prescription drug coverage and pricing. Among other things, the bill (1) requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the CMS for covered drugs that cost $100 or more and for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation; and (2) reduces the annual out-of-pocket spending threshold, and eliminates beneficiary cost-sharing above this threshold, under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Democrats in all branches of office encourage everyone to vote. Nevada primaries are on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 and General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2020; they hope to see all 4,000 of the current Virgin Valley’s Registered Democrats at the polls along with those who have not yet registered.