To the Editor
Unless a manufacturer is actively building a U.S. plant, we’re in trouble.
President Trump’s plan to slap import taxes on drugs, home furnishings, and heavy trucks will have devastating consequences especially for rural communities and patients with chronic conditions. It’s another gut punch to the people who can least afford it.
Drug prices will double, hitting life-saving treatments like insulin, cancer medications, and specialty drugs the hardest. Rural hospitals and clinics, which rely on affordable imports to stay afloat, will be forced to shut down or cut essential services. And as costs rise, insurers will likely respond by hiking premiums or slashing coverage, leaving working families to foot the bill.
And don’t forget, the seven largest publicly traded health insurance companies reported a combined $71 BILLION in profits since January 2025. While Missourians face rising premiums, shrinking coverage, and medical debt, the industry is posting record earnings.
Missourians deserve better.
We deserve Democratic policies that prioritize public health ahead of headlines and protect working families instead of padding corporate profits. It’s time to stop treating everyday Missourians like collateral damage and start building a system that works for all of us.
— Gasconade County Democrats
