Approximately 1,147,490 people in Pennsylvania with diabetes, over 11% of the state’s adult population, rely on insulin, which can cost as much as $1,000 per month
PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Director Jason Henry released the following statement after 7 Pennsylvania Republicans in the U.S. House voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, a bill that would cap the cost of insulin for many Americans at $35 per month:
“Around 1,147,490 Pennsylvania adults rely on insulin, but right now many families are forced to ration medicine, or choose between making rent and being able to afford this lifesaving prescription. That’s why every Pennsylvania Democrat in the U.S. House voted today to drastically lower the monthly cost of insulin–and why President Biden has been pushing to lower drug prices for Americans.
“Meanwhile, Republican Reps. Joyce, Keller, Kelly, Perry, Reschenthaler, Smucker and Thompson voted against Pennsylvanians’ health yesterday, and they should be ashamed. Standing against capping the cost of insulin is not brave, it is not right, and it is a slap in the face to Pennsylvanians with diabetes, but these Republicans do not care. Luckily, Democrats and President Biden are continuing the work to lower health care and prescription drug costs, and fight for the health of families across our commonwealth.”
This is not the first time that Republicans have shown they won’t act to address high drug costs, as earlier last month, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley admitted that a Republican-controlled Senate would not take action on lowering drug prices, saying “If we want to reduce drug prices, then we need to do it now [under a Democratic Congress].”
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