Call Comes on the Heels of the State of the Union Address Where President Biden Urged Congressional Action to Lower Drug Prices
Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Lucy McBath (GA-06) joined Protect Our Care to discuss their new legislation to lower insulin costs for millions of diabetics across the country. This week, Reps. Kildee and McBath joined Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) to introduce the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would limit out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 per month for diabetics with insurance. Just last night, President Biden made the case that lowering insulin costs is a critical step to ensure access to this lifesaving drug and put more money in working families’ pockets.
“No one should have to choose between taking their medication and putting food on the table. At a time when Big Pharma is making record profits, Congress must do more to lower costs,” U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (MI-05) said. “As President Biden said in his State of the Union address, now is the time to cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to pass this legislation and lower costs for Michigan families and seniors.”
“We have an opportunity right now to change lives and save lives,” said U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06). “Just last night, America listened as President Biden voiced his support for legislation that would cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month. I am so proud to join my colleagues and lead legislation that would benefit families across the country and help provide certainty and affordability to the Americans everywhere who need insulin to live full and healthy lives.”
“Insulin is a hormone everyone in the world needs to live. Non-diabetic people have access to it completely for free, but diabetics are price-gouged and forced into insulin, food rationing and other tough circumstances because they need it from an outside source. A $35 copay cap would be an excellent first step in reducing the cost burden on diabetics with insurance,” said Brooks Bellman, 28-year-old Type 1 Diabetic from Atlanta, GA.
“About eight percent of the population in this country has diabetes. That’s probably 20 to 25 million people,” said Dr. Morris E. Brown, an endocrinologist from Atlanta, GA. “The cost of insulin can run to 200 plus dollars a month, depending on how much insulin you’re taking. To go to $35 a month would be huge. In my experience, diabetics are Republicans and diabetics are Democrats. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why this is not a bipartisan issue, and why it doesn’t, on a voice vote, pass the House and the Senate.”
“Drug company greed has forced millions of diabetics to pay outrageous prices for a medication that has been around for a century,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “In the wealthiest nation on earth, no one should be risking their life by rationing or skipping doses because they can’t afford the medication they need. Representatives Kildee and McBath’s bill capping out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 a month for diabetics with insurance is a critical step to drive down prescription drug prices. It will put more money in families’ pockets and give them peace of mind knowing they won’t have to choose between purchasing this lifesaving medication and putting food on the table.”