Richard Chew is joined by Joe Cunningham, former congressman who now serves as spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance; he discusses PRA’s new report on big pharma and drug prices. They discuss political leadership, economic affordability, and the necessity of pharmaceutical reform.

Joe Cunningham's Background
- Joe Cunningham is a Democratic politician from Charleston, South Carolina, who previously served in a district (South Carolina's 1st Congressional District) that had not elected a Democrat in almost 40 years.
- He was part of the 2018 freshman class of leadership and later ran as the Democratic nominee for governor of South Carolina in 2022.

Political Momentum and Challenges
- Cunningham argues that current economic hardships and failed policies have created a growing frustration among Americans.
- He highlights the disparity between government spending on things like D.C. infrastructure and the struggles citizens face with rent and groceries.
- The discussion touches on the need for new generational leadership to address these systemic issues.

Affordability and Accountability
- Chew and Cunningham discuss how affordability and accountability are deeply interconnected in the minds of voters.
- Cunningham notes that frustration grows when people see government officials profiting from stock trades or misusing funds while citizens struggle.

Democratic Party Opportunities
- Cunningham suggests the Democratic Party needs to rebuild credibility by speaking directly to voters rather than talking down to them.
- He advocates for moving beyond just criticizing opponents and instead presenting bold, New Deal-style ideas to uplift Americans.
- The conversation emphasizes the importance of being results-driven rather than focusing solely on political accountability.

Prescription Drug Pricing Reform
- Cunningham explains that Americans pay roughly three times more for prescription drugs than people in other developed nations.
- He promotes the "most favored nation" policy, which aims to bring U.S. drug prices in line with global averages.
- This specific policy reportedly enjoys high bipartisan support, including interest from both Democrats and some Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Big Pharma Lobbying Influence
- The discussion highlights how the pharmaceutical industry uses massive amounts of money to lobby Congress and block price reform.
- Cunningham points out that some conservative groups receive significant funding from pharmaceutical trade associations to oppose drug pricing legislation.
- High costs lead to a compounding strain on the health care system as patients skip doses or delay necessary care due to expense.

Future Outlook for Healthcare Reform
- Cunningham notes that while accountability is important, the party must also deliver tangible results like lower health care costs.
- He mentions the rising popularity of GLP medications but emphasizes that their benefits are limited by high price tags in the U.S. compared to Japan or The Netherlands.
- The segment concludes with an emphasis on using potential legislative wins in future elections to drive meaningful pharmaceutical reform.

 

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

 

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Richard Chew is joined by Joe Cunningham, former congressman who now serves as spokesperson for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pharmareformalliance.com/">Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance</a>; he discusses PRA&rsquo;s new report on big pharma and drug prices. They discuss political leadership, economic affordability, and the necessity of pharmaceutical reform.
Joe Cunningham's Background - Joe Cunningham is a Democratic politician from Charleston, South Carolina, who previously served in a district (South Carolina's 1st Congressional District) that had not elected a Democrat in almost 40 years. - He was part of the 2018 freshman class of leadership and later ran as the Democratic nominee for governor of South Carolina in 2022. Political Momentum and Challenges - Cunningham argues that current economic hardships and failed policies have created a growing frustration among Americans. - He highlights the disparity between government spending on things like D.C. infrastructure and the struggles citizens face with rent and groceries. - The discussion touches on the need for new generational leadership to address these systemic issues. Affordability and Accountability - Chew and Cunningham discuss how affordability and accountability are deeply interconnected in the minds of voters. - Cunningham notes that frustration grows when people see government officials profiting from stock trades or misusing funds while citizens struggle. Democratic Party Opportunities - Cunningham suggests the Democratic Party needs to rebuild credibility by speaking directly to voters rather than talking down to them. - He advocates for moving beyond just criticizing opponents and instead presenting bold, New Deal-style ideas to uplift Americans. - The conversation emphasizes the importance of being results-driven rather than focusing solely on political accountability. Prescription Drug Pricing Reform - Cunningham explains that Americans pay roughly three times more for prescription drugs than people in other developed nations. - He promotes the "most favored nation" policy, which aims to bring U.S. drug prices in line with global averages. - This specific policy reportedly enjoys high bipartisan support, including interest from both Democrats and some Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene. Big Pharma Lobbying Influence - The discussion highlights how the pharmaceutical industry uses massive amounts of money to lobby Congress and block price reform. - Cunningham points out that some conservative groups receive significant funding from pharmaceutical trade associations to oppose drug pricing legislation. - High costs lead to a compounding strain on the health care system as patients skip doses or delay necessary care due to expense. Future Outlook for Healthcare Reform - Cunningham notes that while accountability is important, the party must also deliver tangible results like lower health care costs. - He mentions the rising popularity of GLP medications but emphasizes that their benefits are limited by high price tags in the U.S. compared to Japan or The Netherlands. - The segment concludes with an emphasis on using potential legislative wins in future elections to drive meaningful pharmaceutical reform.
&nbsp;
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  


Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive."  He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024. 

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard’s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." &nbsp;He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.&nbsp;
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard&rsquo;s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;

Chew's Views with Richard Chew (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  

Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.

Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "Truth in a Barrel," "The John Fugelsang Podcast," "Endless Urgency" with Mike Nellis, and "The Politics Bar."

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.
Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWK_o2PSptQ">Truth in a Barrel</a>," "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weekend-interviews-simon-and-julie-richard-chew/id1464094232?i=1000685443232">The John Fugelsang Podcast</a>," "<a href="https://endlessurgency.com/p/pardoning-ghislaine-maxwell-trump">Endless Urgency</a>" with Mike Nellis, and "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/is/podcast/community-vs-cankles-july-22-2025/id886656768?i=1000718522141">The Politics Bar</a>."
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;