My mother has struggled with a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis for many years. She has been on many different drugs over the years and has had little to no luck getting her symptoms and the progression of her disease under control. Many of the drugs that were tried she had allergic reactions to. Many had other side effects and did nothing to ease her intense pain and swelling from the overwhelming inflammation in her joints. She has also developed other additional conditions that stem from the rheumatoid arthritis. Finally she found Enbrel which is a biological response modifying drug used to treat her disease. It has been working well to keep her functioning and keep her pain and swelling mostly at bay and bearable. The problem is this drug like many others costs over $6,000 per injection out of pocket. My mom is on social security disability since the deformity in her hands, daily inflammation and multiple surgeries has made her unable to work. She has Medicare for her healthcare. As of the first of the year, social security disability informed her of her annual $20 raise which meant that the program for assistance in paying for Enbrel was no longer available to her as she now makes too much money. She tried reapplying and was denied. Her doctor jumped through all the hoops to try and get her approved and still she was denied. Now, because no one living on social security disability can afford an over six thousand dollar a month medication out of pocket and still afford to live, she will be forced needlessly to stop taking it and will no doubt in the near future be bound to a wheelchair and in excruciating pain and stiffness. So my question is.... why and how is this even possible in the supposed greatest country in the world? Why are big Pharma and the government and healthcare companies allowed to strip our chronically ill and elderly population of their dignity? This is a population of Americans we should be supporting the most! We need serious policy change to stop this travesty! These people need help to get their medication! They are suffering! 
My mother is one of many thousands out there going through this exact situation struggling to get and pay for life changing medication! It is truly shameful our government allows this! Please help us wake them up and do something to make change! I hope with your support I can partner with The Arthritis Foundation and we can take this to Washington! Thank you for your signature!