(Radio Iowa) — A bill that has cleared the U.S. House would make it easier for generic drugs to be sold in America, a move meant to limit the rising cost of prescription drugs. Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines says prescription medications cost more in America than in any other country.

“A teacher in Farragut who’s had diabetes for 20 years is spending over $750 a month for insulin,” Axne says. “That’s a third of her take-home pay and she needs a second job just to cover her costs.” Axne accuses brand-name drug manufacturers of using delay tactics to prevent cheaper generics from being sold.

The House bill would forbid brand-name drug makers from paying a generic manufacturer NOT to sell the cheaper generic alternative. In addition, the bill would make it easier for generic drug manufacturers to get important data about brand name medications.

“I ran for congress to protect Iowans, not Big Pharma,” Axne said. “And this bill will help bring generics to market quicker, lower the cost for consumers and save billions in taxpayer dollars.”

Axne — a Democrat who’s in her first term in congress — made her comments during a brief speech on the House floor Thursday. She did not mention other components of the bill, some of which are designed to help Americans navigate the insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. Republicans in the SENATE and President Trump oppose those parts of the package House Democrats put together.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say two Iowa men face charges in separate child pornography cases. Officials say 35-year-old Aaron Olson, of Nora Springs, is charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Officials say Olson used two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce child pornography. Prosecutors also say 31-year-old Derek Clemens, of Evansdale, has been charged with receipt and possession of child pornography. Officials say he accessed child pornography on his cellphone.

WEST UNION, Iowa (AP) — A northeastern Iowa man has been charged with first-degree murder in the 2018 death of a 4-week-old infant. The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation says in a news release that 22-year-old Dean Hettinger, of Westgate, was arrested Thursday at the Black Hawk County Jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges. He’s accused of causing the death of Holton Smith.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — “Lucky Larry” may have a shot to win millions more _ this time from a jury. A judge has ordered a trial in a lawsuit filed by Iowa lottery winner Larry Dawson, who contends a $9 million jackpot that he won in 2011 should have been nearly three times as big. Dawson filed the lawsuit in 2016 after an investigation revealed that lottery contractor Eddie Tipton rigged the previous $16.5 million jackpot, bought the winning ticket himself and unsuccessfully worked with associates to claim it.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A flurry of lawsuits against maker of OxyContin intensifies as Idaho’s attorney general tells the company and the family that owns of it of plans to take legal action. Six other states have announced filings this month against Purdue Pharma and another said it’s looking for a law firm to help it sue. Idaho’s letter was disclosed Thursday. It suggests a lack of progress with settlement negotiations with the company behind a drug that helped change the way prescription painkillers were used.

Audubon Community School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs has announced that the Audubon Community School District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program.  Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:

• Audubon Elementary School: June 10 – August 9, 2019, 11:30am-12:30 pm

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)      mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)      fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)      email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement:

“It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9.  If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — “Lucky Larry” may have a shot to win millions more — this time from a jury. A judge has ordered a trial in a lawsuit filed by Iowa lottery winner Larry Dawson, who contends a $9 million jackpot that he won in 2011 should have been nearly three times as big.

Dawson filed his lawsuit in 2016 after an investigation revealed that lottery contractor Eddie Tipton rigged the previous $16.5 million jackpot, bought the winning ticket himself and unsuccessfully worked with associates to claim it.
Dawson’s lawsuit against the Multi-State Lottery Association and the Iowa Lottery contends the $16.5 million should have carried over to the jackpot that he won under Hot Lotto’s rules.

Judge Carla Schemmel ruled earlier this month that the association and the lottery are not immune from liability under state law. She says that a “full hearing of this matter” is required to sort out the complex case. The case is set for trial Dec. 2.