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Dear Gray Panthers and Friends:
The U.S. House of Representatives adopted the Affordable Insulin Now Act on March 31st. This legislation would limit the cost-sharing for insulin for private health insurance and Medicare to $35 a month or a copay of 25% of an insurance plan's negotiated price, whichever is lower. The vote was 232 - 193 and included 12 Republicans. It would start in 2023 but its fate in the Senate remains unclear.
For years people on Medicare and other U.S. citizens have had to pay higher prices than people in other countries. When Medicare was started in 1965, the government was not allowed to negotiate for more fair prescription drug prices. A study by the Health Care Cost Institute, an independent nonprofit that studies health care prices, shows that insulin prices have doubled between 2012 and 2016. "No one should have to choose between taking their medications as prescribed and putting food on the table", according Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI), a bill co-sponsor.
The House had adopted the Build Back Better spending bill last November that would have allowed Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. Drug company profits haven't stopped even in a pandemic. For more information, click HERE for an article about these profits in the August 16, 2021 Desert Sun.
Gray Panthers urge you to call your U.S. Senators, encouraging them to support YES on S. 3700, the Senate version of the House bill adopted in the House.
Talking Points:
a. The price of insulin has doubled in just four years;
b. No one should have to choose between getting insulin and putting food on the table;
c. S. 3700, by capping co-pays at $35/month, would make this life saving drug, more affordable;
d. Vote YES on S. 3700, the Affordable Insulin Now Act.
Make your voice heard! Call your Senators on the Capitol Switchboard:
1-202-224-3121.
Together, we can do great things,
Randy Block, MSW, Chair (he, him, his)
National Council of Gray Panthers Networks
248-224-5572 (cell)
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