March, 22 2016, 04:00pm EDT
New AFL-CIO TPP Video Addresses Potential Deadly Consequences of Trade Deal
WASHINGTON
Today, the AFL-CIO released a video of cancer survivor Zahara Heckscher explaining how passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could put the lives of cancer patients like her in jeopardy. She wants the world to know that the TPP affects human lives.
"I'm alive right now because of the progress that's been made in medicine," said Heckscher. "I've found out that the TPP will actually threaten access to the kinds of medicines that are keeping me alive. When you have advanced cancer, you live on hope. What difference does it make if the medicines are available if you can't access them? "
Drug companies have been allowed to add stipulations to the TPP that will increase the length of patents and other related monopolies that increase prices and decrease access. This could keep lifesaving cancer medicines out of reach due to exorbitant monopoly pricing.
"We know the TPP is toxic in every way. It was a deal negotiated by corporations, for corporations that puts profits over people's livelihoods and lives," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. "The AFL-CIO and our partners are fighting to defeat the TPP for our friends like Zahara, and for all those whose lives are impacted by corporate greed."
This video is the first in a series examining the real human impact of trade agreements like the TPP.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) works tirelessly to improve the lives of working people. We are the democratic, voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women.
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