Affordable Insulin Now Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I really appreciate Mr. DeSaulnier giving me a few moments of time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act.

I want to take this time just to talk about the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs for all those in our community. It is a topic that I hear about every single day from my constituents, and it is something that touches the lives of every single American, whether you have diabetes or not.

Today, we will be voting on a bill that will actually provide desperately needed relief to some of the most vulnerable patients in the United States, in Georgia and all across this Nation.

There is no time off when you live with diabetes. It is a constant, ever-present disease that influences every aspect of your life. Listen to those who gave testimony about what they live with every single day with this chronic disease.

In 1920, before insulin was discovered, it would have been exceptional for those who had diabetes to live longer than 1 or 2 years. But over the past 100 years, we have been able to save lives with insulin. For over 100 years, it has remained the most effective treatment that we have.

Over 100 years later, some estimates state that diabetics spend around $6,000 a year alone on insulin. This is just absolutely unconscionable for a drug that has been saving lives for over 100 years. We can and must make it more affordable for Americans who need it to live.

That is why I joined my colleagues, Angie Craig and Dan Kildee, who I find to be healthcare champions, in introducing this critical legislation.

It is just really very simple. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would cap out-of-pocket costs of insulin products at $35 per month for Americans with health insurance.

This bill brings a measure of certainty and affordability to every American who needs insulin to continue living a healthy life.

Yes, I have heard arguments this afternoon that this doesn't take care of every individual in the country, specifically those who are uninsured. We know that. I assure you, we are not completely satisfied with this either. But if our Republican colleagues would come to the table with us, with any measures that you have--compromise, come to the table, consensus. Help us build the ability to make sure that every American in this country, whether they are insured or not, has the ability to be able to afford this lifesaving drug. We welcome that from you because people every single day are dying right beneath our noses. I am here to save lives.

I look forward to passing this vital legislation out of the House of Representatives today, and I look forward to continuing to fight for passage with Senator Warnock in the Senate.

As the President so rightly stated, this legislation can and will save lives, and it is long overdue.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source