I want to update you on two pieces of legislation that US Congress is working on.
The Insulin Price Reduction Act - HR 4906
Affordable Insulin Act of 2019 – H.R. 1478
H.R. 4906 is more promising because it is more detailed in what must be done and has more traction.
The Insulin Price Reduction Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Tom Reed (R-NY) and Diana DeGette (D-CO). They are also co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. When you contact your representatives, in addition to asking them for their support of HR 4906, ask them if they are in the Diabetic Caucasus. If not, they should be! The bill was introduced on my birthday July 22 2019. The last activity on this bill was October 2019.
HR 4906 is now in the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.
We need to contact our representatives about this bill. I am afraid that they will set this aside because they want to run for re-election! Our representatives must continue to earn their salaries even if it is an election year!
I have a new URL for this petition you signed. It is: www.insulinforall.com. Please share it. Thanks to you, we have over 47,000 signatures!
Finally, I would like to show you why insulin cost so much. Thanks to the Organization, “Beyond Type 1”, founded by type 1 diabetic Nick Jonas. Type 1 has an article that goes into detail how the pricing flows from the pharmaceutical manufactures to the wholesaler to the pharmacy to the insurance company to the patient. Please take time and read this. There will be a quiz later!
How Insulin Pricing Works in the U.S.