Largest Latino Religious Group Joins Chorus Critical of Walgreens Plans to Abandon Lower-income & Minority Communities Would Consider Urging Boycott if Course not Changed
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec.28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a letter to Walgreen's CEO Gregory Wasson, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) came out today and joined a growing number of civil rights groups that have weighed in against Walgreens stated plan to discontinue its partnership with Express Scripts.
"If your course is not reversed, if you do not choose to do the right thing, the danger to our community is such that we will have little choice but to consider urging the 34,000 member congregations and 16 million members of NHCLC across the country to add their voices and support to a national boycott of your company," wrote the NHCLC President Rev. Samuel Rodriquez.
"Latinos depend on the discounted prescription rates they are able to secure through Express Scripts. Our constituents will be hit with up to a 30% increase in the cost of vital medication should Walgreens no longer honor Express Scripts prescriptions," said Rodriguez. "This would be devastating to our community."
NHCLC leads the 16 million vibrant and growing Latino Born Again community. They have over 34,000 member congregations around the country and in Latin America.
BELOW: Rodriguez Letter to Wasson
December 28, 2011
Mr. Gregory D. Wasson
President & CEO, Walgreens Inc.
200 Wilmont Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
Dear Mr. Wasson,
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) joins with the growing number of civil rights groups from across the country in condemning the idea of Walgreens ending its partnership with Express Scripts. Were you to proceed with course of action, the Latino community will be severely impacted in a negative way.
The discounted rate for prescription drugs Latinos receive at Walgreens through Express Scripts is crucial for maintaining the health of millions of members of that community across the United States. If Walgreens abandons this partnership, members of our community will see up to a 30% increase in the prescription costs. This would be harmful to our community.
Given Walgreens' known history of questionable actions toward minorities in the United States, this move would be rightly seen as reaffirming the concerns many currently feel and could permanently damage that relationship.
In this case, it is my understanding that Walgreens demanded two things that Express Scripts could not accept. First, Walgreens wanted to raise reimbursement rates by up to 30% over three years. No other competitor of Walgreens asked for similar terms. Second, Walgreens wanted to pick and choose which plans it would serve at its stores. Every plan and every patient is entitled to the same level of respect and dignity as anyone else.
This attitude toward the poor and minority community cannot go unchallenged. The health of our communities is far too important. We cannot sit idly by while you put more importance on lining your pockets even more with our money without concern for our wellbeing.
If your course is not reversed, if you do not choose to do the right thing, the danger to our community is such that we will have little choice but to consider urging the 34,000 member congregations and 16 million members of NHCLC across the country to add their voices and support to a national boycott of your company.
I sincerely hope it doesn't come to that.
Sincerely,
Reverend Samuel Rodriquez
SOURCE National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC)
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