Washington, DC — Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) released a statement following reporting that her legislation on a $35 insulin out-of-pocket cost cap would be added to the text of the Inflation Reduction Act. McBath’s bill is a companion measure to the one introduced by Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in the Senate.
“Families cannot afford for Washington to play politics with the health and the lives of diabetic patients—we must carve a path forward and get this done for the American people,” McBath said. “This is a common sense, bipartisan piece of legislation that would significantly improve access and affordability for insulin users, many of whom have had to ration or skip doses for decades. I’m pleased that my bill to cap insulin costs at $35 a month is being added to robust legislation that will strengthen health care access and lower rising costs for Georgians. Along with Senator Warnock, I look forward to continuing the work to make prescription drugs more affordable for American families.”
McBath introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which caps out-of-pocket costs of insulin products at $35 per month for people with private health plans and Medicare Part D plans, including Medicare Advantage drug plans. The Affordable Insulin Now Act is a companion measure to legislation introduced by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock in the Senate, which has also been cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The measure previously passed the House on a bipartisan vote. It has been endorsed by the American Diabetes Association and garnered support from President Biden during his first State of the Union address.