This letter, sent to the entire House Republican Conference, calls out the Democrats for obvious election year pandering in introducing a bill that offers no meaningful long-term solution to lowering the cost of insulin. Its price-fixing provision opens the door to further prescription drug price mandates and government regulation.
March 30, 2022
The Honorable Steve Scalise
House Republican Whip
H-148 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Whip Scalise,
On behalf of the 2.3 million members of AMAC – Association of Mature American Citizens, I write to express our concern with H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act.
Not too long ago, former President Trump made significant gains in lowering insulin costs for Americans. He initiated the Part D Senior Savings Model a voluntary program which allows beneficiaries to choose enhanced Part D plan options that offer lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin. He also signed an Executive Order that delivered inexpensive insulin and epinephrine to lower income patients. Unfortunately, President Biden delayed this Executive Order the day after he took office in 2021 before rescinding it later that year.
Now, the Democrats are considering H.R. 6833 which is an unserious attempt to lower the price of insulin. This bill would exert price controls on private market insulin to cap the costs paid by patients. H.R. 6833 takes us closer to further pharmaceutical price-fixing, a policy contained the Build Back Better plan. Price-fixing drugs leads to rationing and shortages as evidenced in other countries who have employed this policy. The Democrats’ bill is estimated to increase spending by about $11 billion, and the bill is paid for by delaying the rebate rule for one year. This Trump-era rule compels pharmacy benefit managers to share the rebates they receive from drug manufacturers with Part D beneficiaries to lower their out-of-pocket expenses.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act is an election year messaging act on the part of Democrats. If they were serious about lowering the cost of insulin, they would work with Republicans on innovative programs like the Part D Senior Savings Model, a program that is expanding with robust participation by plan sponsors and offers predictable insulin costs that do not exceed $35/month.
As an organization comprised of Americans who are age 55-plus, controlling drug costs, especially insulin costs, is paramount to maintaining a good quality of life for AMAC members. H.R. 6833 is a step in the wrong direction for lowering insulin prices and opens the door for further government price-fixing and regulation.
Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President, AMAC Action
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I’ve been type 1 for 51 years. Government price and wage controls are NEVER the answer.
Control of drug industries is important, right now who is the best person to determine this..
Someone not in our government that’s for sure. As long as members of our government can cash in on prices we will see gouging. Independent groups are no better they take money to decide what the charges should be so perhaps someone not able to gain anything from managing the prices would be a start.
Donald Trump had it lowered back to 35.00 a vial, now it’s back up to 200.00 which is outrageous. That’s due to Biden reversing everything. There is absolutely NO reason for this for anyone. Basic insulin is cheaper for a person to buy it for their dogs, not humans.
Once again President Trump was right, a solution that was Good for America and Citizens.
And again, joebama and marxist democrats,WRONG and BAD for America and Citizens.
Who could not agree with a basic fact like this???
Thanks AMAC for standing for Freedom!
If you live in S. Texas, it’s much cheaper for Insulin than in the U.S. for the SAME brand names
Hooray let the free market develop diabetes vaccines then OK
You do know there are people who are born with type 1 and need insulin to live their lives. They did not “develop” it due to eating bad, they were BORN with it hence the need for insulin costs to be lowered so they do not die! Also Type 2 can develop in anyone, for any reason. Their body isn’t producing its own insulin s they too must have it to live.
Free market is essential. The Federal government should focus on increasing competition and preventing collusion and monopolies. I’m glad AMAC understands price fixing fixes nothing.
Price fixing and government control is what the failed marxist democrats want.
Greedy , useless ,corrupt politicians!