The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) applauds the work of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus co-chairs — Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Tom Reed (R-NY) — for their work on behalf of the 37 million Americans with diabetes, and we strongly support their proposal to reduce the cost of insulin. The ADA has endorsed the reforms to insulin rebates included in the Insulin Price Reduction Act and a $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs to patients for insulin, both of which are included in the bipartisan package announced today.
The proposal, which includes elements of measures previously supported by ADA, is a thoughtful and comprehensive approach that targets multiple drivers of decades of insulin cost increases. We look forward to seeing lower insulin prices through policy changes that will:
- Ensure insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers cannot collect rebates on affordably-priced insulins
- Protect patients’ pocketbooks by making them eligible for cost-sharing on affordably-priced insulins such as waivers of deductibles and reduced copays or coinsurance to no more than $35 per month
- Make sure patients have access to at least one lower-cost insulin by requiring group and individual market health plans to waive patient deductibles and limit cost-sharing to no more than $35 per month for at least one insulin of each type and dosage form
- Further strengthen patient access to insulins by preventing payers from using prior authorization or other medical management requirements that might otherwise limit beneficiary use or raise costs
People living with diabetes who rely on insulin to live and thrive need Congress to act now to reduce insulin costs. This is especially true for the one in four insulin-dependent people forced to ration insulin doses as a result of the high cost to patients.
The ADA encourages all Members of Congress to support this proposal and to vote in favor of the bill when it is considered on the House and Senate floors.
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,About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 81 years the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
