The Senate is focusing on legislation to reduce the cost of insulin. This is the lifeline of millions of people with diabetes.
Important reason: According to a 2020 survey commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States costs eight times as much as other 32 high-income countries. The $ 35 / month limit helps many diabetics.
- As the Axios Vitals team points out, Limiting out-of-pocket insulin costs, a narrow sliver of President Biden’s stalled buildback better package, is the only indication that Democrats can pass something at prescription drug prices by the middle of this fall. It may be the way.
News promotion: Senate leader Chuck Schumer will submit a bill shortly after Easter to limit the out-of-pocket cost of insulin products to $ 35 per month and take other steps to expand relief for diabetics. am.
- Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (DN.H.) have finalized their own bipartisan bill now that Shaheen has returned to work after the match against COVID-19. increase.
- Collins told Axios that their law is based on a 2019 bill introduced by the two targeting intermediaries between health insurance companies and pharmacies.
- “We have great advantages … we have a bill that we can use as a basis and further refine,” Collins said.
- New English law is also based on Senator Raphael Warnock’s (D-Ga.)’S own bill, which limits the cost of insulin for $ 35 per month.
Even some Republicans I am interested in addressing issues that affect voters across the political spectrum.
- “I’m going to be some kind of regulation that we can help. Too many people pay thousands of dollars a month. I’m not familiar with the regulatory process, but it’s a lot to many. We’re spending money, “Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) Told Axios.
- “I’m interested in doing everything I can to lower drug prices,” Senate minority Whip John Thune told Axios.
- “It includes some efforts to lower insulin prices to that $ 35 figure … no need to slap caps or force governments to set price controls,” he said.
Big picture: For years, lawmakers from both parties have tried to tackle the soaring costs of insulin.
- Former President Trump passed a rule in 2019 aimed at ensuring that federal-funded health centers pass discounted insulin, but it was not enforced by the Biden administration.
- The Trump administration has also negotiated with pharmaceutical and insurance companies the option for Medicare subscribers to sign up for a prescription plan that sets a maximum copy of insulin at $ 35 per month. This is an experimental program that remains today.
- Warnock’s law makes it a code.
With numbers: A recent Peter-KFF HealthSystem Tracker analysis shows that an insulin cap of $ 35 benefits more than one in four insulin users in the individual and small group markets.
- The benefits apply to 1 in 5 insulin users in plans sponsored by large employers.
But, but, but: Other Republicans, including Texas Rep. Kevin Brady and Florida Senator Rick Scott, support another approach.
- They told Axios that creating competition in the insulin market is key to reducing costs and is unlikely to vote on laws that include price controls.
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