News

21 Million Americans Who Use Insulin Are Blocked From The $35 Insulin Cap As A Result Of Republicans In Congress

Watch Elise’s Story Here

Elise Oberdorfer-Douglas is a resident of Atlanta, GA, and a mother of two. Her 17-year-old daughter has lived with Type I diabetes for the past nine years. Elise and her husband are both self-employed, and despite having private insurance, they have been forced to ration supplies or rely on strangers to obtain the insulin her daughter needs to survive. Elise’s story is all too familiar and demonstrates why lawmakers must extend the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap to everyone.

Georgia Democrats, including Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07), have been leaders on lower insulin costs, sponsoring the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs, not just for seniors on Medicare, but for millions of diabetics with private insurance. They are committed health care champions who are fighting for a future where quality, affordable health care is a reality for Georgians and all Americans.

Protect Our Care is highlighting the importance of lower insulin costs as part of the fortnight of action. The Inflation Reduction Act capped monthly insulin copays for seniors on Medicare — a game changer for more than three million people. But Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance. In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans puts Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. Read Protect Our Care’s full fact sheet here. 

Washington DC — This week, news reports have indicated that Republican lawmakers have been leaning on Trump’s Office of Management and Budget Director, Russ Vought, as they navigate debt ceiling negotiations. Vought’s plan includes massive cuts to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), undermining protections for pre-existing conditions, eliminating premium tax credits that make coverage affordable for nearly 15 million Americans, and repealing Medicaid expansion, which covers 20 million people. These cuts would be disastrous for the American people, disproportionately impacting children, rural Americans, and people of color. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“As Republicans hold our economy hostage, they are returning to some of their greatest hits: attacking American health care. Behind closed doors, they are relying on a far-right Trump appointee to draft their budget. Vought’s plan would effectively repeal the ACA, driving up costs for almost 15 million Americans and eliminating coverage altogether for more than 20 million people. Vought is also advocating for removing vital protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions by sending us back to the days when insurance companies could write the rules and deny coverage or charge more for people with pre-existing conditions. Make no mistake, Republican threats to health care are as real as ever, and we cannot let them get away with it.” 

BACKGROUND 

Trump’s Budget Director Russ Vought Is Working With Republicans To Slash Billions Of Dollars From Medicaid And The Affordable Care Act. Former Trump OMB Director Russ Vought now leads an influential think tank known as the Center for Renewing America where he has “quietly emerged as an intellectual leader of the GOP’s conservative flank” according to the Washington Post. Vought is in close contact with Republicans on Capitol Hill, briefing members of Congress at least three times about his budget plan and speaking to key lawmakers and staffers “at least once a week.” 

The Vought Plan Would Rip Medicaid Away From More Than 20 Million Americans. The Vought budget “repeals the authorizations created by Obamacare that permit states to expand their Medicaid programs.” The ACA’s expansion of Medicaid covers more than 21 million people who would have their care ripped away if Republicans were to enact this plan. 

The Vought Plan Raises Premiums For More Than 10 Million Americans. The Vought budget would fully repeal the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits that help millions of Americans afford quality health insurance. A record 16.3 million Americans signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplace this year, and with 80 percent of enrollees eligible for tax credits, over 13 million people could see their premiums soar if the Vought plan were enacted. 

The Vought Plan Puts Coverage For Tens Of Millions Of Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions At Risk. Vought’s plan lambastes the Affordable Care Act for providing “some subsidies to some people, only if they choose to purchase insurance the government defines in the way the government demands.” Removing the consumer protections enacted by the ACA would put insurance companies back in charge of your care and end protections for 54 million Americans with ‘declinable’ pre-existing conditions.

Washington DC — One year ago today, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) released a 12-point Republican plan that would sunset all federal legislation in five years. Not only would the Rick Scott plan put the Affordable Care Act in grave danger, but it threatens every federal health program, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Tens of millions of Americans could face complete coverage loss and seniors could lose the benefits they’ve worked their entire lives to secure. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“One year later, Rick Scott’s plan is still bad news for American health care. Sunsetting all programs would put Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act on the chopping block, threatening the health and well-being of tens of millions of families across the country. Some of these programs have been the bedrock of our nation for more than 50 years, and any effort to cut or privatize them would leave millions in the dust. As these threats have recently reemerged in debt ceiling negotiations, Rick Scott and other Republican leaders have only doubled down on their disastrous plans to rip away vital benefits from the American people — and we won’t let them get away with it.”   

Rick Scott’s Plan For America Would “Sunset” The Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid.  One year ago today, as chair of the NRSC, Senator Scott proposed a 12-point Republican plan that would sunset all federal legislation in five years. Not only would the Rick Scott plan put the Affordable Care Act in grave danger, but it threatens every federal health program, including Medicare and Medicaid. When asked about the ACA’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Scott stated, “I don’t believe in grand bargains…We’ve got to reward people for caring for themselves.” As Governor of Florida, Rick Scott refused Medicaid expansion that would cover 833,000 Floridians and attempted to make it more difficult for Floridians to sign up for Medicaid, suggesting a reduction in the amount of time individuals have to enroll from 90 to 30 days. Scott wasn’t acting alone in his support for this radical plan. Many high-profile Republicans signaled their support, including Senator Ron Johnson, RNC Chairwoman Rona McDaniel, Senator Mike Braun, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Tommy Tuberville, Congressman Matt Gaetz, and Senator Joni Ernst.     

Rick Scott Spent The Last Year Doubling Down On His Plan To Put The ACA, Medicaid, and Medicare At Risk.  Rick Scott has spent the last year repeatedly promoting his plan to put every health care program on the chopping block.  When President Biden pledged to protect Medicare during his State of the Union address, Scott tweeted, “In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal legislation sunsets in 5 yrs. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again” and then went on a media tour promoting his plan.  After Republican Senate candidates performed poorly in the 2022 elections, Scott insisted that he had no regrets about his scheme, writing, “Yes, I put out a plan of ideas, and I don’t regret it one bit. Yes, one of them suggested sunsetting laws after five years — noting that if a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.”  Over the last year, Scott has tweeted countless times and made dozens of media appearances continuing to hammer his proposal to put the ACA, Medicaid, Medicare and health care for tens of millions of Americans at constant risk.  

Watch the Full Event Here. 

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07) joined Protect Our Care for a press call to discuss the ongoing efforts to expand the Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin savings to every American. During the call, speakers discussed how lowering insulin costs is especially important for people of color, who disproportionately suffer from diabetes and are more likely to skip, ration, or completely forgo insulin as a result of outrageous costs.

The event is part of Protect Our Care’s “Fortnight of Action” to showcase the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap, which benefits more than three million seniors nationwide. Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance, but President Biden and Democrats in Congress are now fighting to extend these savings to an estimated 21 million patients who rely on insulin. Read more about the lifesaving policy here. 

“Every American deserves to have access to quality, affordable health care and life-saving prescription medication. Matthew 25:45 teaches us, ‘whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Congressional Democrats, under the leadership of President Biden, capped the monthly price of insulin for seniors on Medicare at $35. Next, we must build on the historic Inflation Reduction Act and extend the affordability of this life-saving medication to everyone who needs it,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “Our public health depends on the extension of the insulin cap to those on private insurance and the expansion of Medicaid to the 11 states — including South Carolina — that have refused to close the coverage gap. Now is the time to act.”

“The cost of health care can be the difference between putting a kid through college and affording treatment, and that just simply should not happen. It’s why I’m so proud to have led a bill that kept the cost of insulin at $35 a month for our seniors. We’re continuing this fight to make this life-saving drug more available and more affordable because there’s no time off. When you live with diabetes, it’s a constant ever present disease that influences every aspect of your life,” said U.S. Representative Lucy McBath.“This is about saving lives. We’re here today to continue this fight for those who sent us to Washington on their behalf and we’ll continue to do this work to expand savings for these life-saving drugs because the American people deserve it.” 

“My daughter was diagnosed at eight years old with type-1 diabetes. When she was diagnosed, we were paying $1,500 a month for insulin. This is not counting the test strips to check blood sugars and all the other stuff that comes with diabetes. So a lot of us turn to groups online to ask for help. I’ve had people from Canada and Colorado send us insulin. We are the most powerful nation in the world. Health care should not be a card game,” said Elise Oberdorfer-Douglas from Atlanta, GA.

“For too long, Big Pharma has been pulling the strings, putting their sky-high profits above the needs of real people,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “While Republicans in Congress are doing everything in their power to roll back the Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin savings and block any new legislation to lower drug prices, Democrats are working on behalf of hardworking families to ensure everyone can afford the medications they need to stay healthy.” 

New Navigator polling reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for extending the Inflation Reduction Act’s cap on the prices of insulin for seniors to everyone regardless of age. Across political parties, race, ethnicity, and age groups, the support for lowering insulin costs for every American is astonishingly clear. The price cap on insulin for people on Medicare began on January 1, 2023, helping 3.2 million insulin users afford this life-saving medication. 

Protect Our Care is highlighting the importance of lower insulin costs during the Fortnight of Action from February 14 to 28. The Inflation Reduction Act capped monthly insulin copays for seniors on Medicare, but an estimated 21 million Americans who use insulin will not benefit from these savings as a result of Republicans in Congress who blocked a provision to extend the cap to those with private insurance. Lowering insulin costs is especially important for people of color, who disproportionately suffer from diabetes and are more likely to skip, ration, or completely forgo insulin as a result of outrageous costs.

In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans puts Big Pharma’s profits over real people. This new polling confirms that expanding the insulin copay cap is highly popular and that lawmakers should build on the momentum and extend it so everyone is guaranteed life-saving insulin at an affordable cost.

Meanwhile, Most Republicans Voted Against the Omnibus Bill that Actually Halted Medicare Cuts

Washington DC — Today, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) released ads targeting Senate Democrats with lies alleging Democrats want to make cuts to Medicare. The NRSC ads falsely claim that Joe Biden and Democrats in the Senate wanted to slash $36 billion in Medicare funds. The truth is that the December 2022 omnibus spending package prevented these cuts and rolled back scheduled Medicare payment cuts to physicians. Most Senate Republicans and all but nine House Republicans voted against this bill. Meanwhile, Republicans in the House and the Senate have repeatedly proposed serious cuts to Medicare. In response, Protect Our Care Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“The GOP record on Medicare is so atrocious and unpopular, it’s no surprise that they’re once again resorting to spreading lies. This new ad campaign is attempting to scare seniors with false claims about President Biden and Democrats slashing Medicare when in reality most Republicans in Congress voted against the bill that prevented these cuts. Republicans may want to rewrite history for their political benefit but it’s no secret that Republicans are putting Medicare on the chopping block. Over the last several months alone, Republicans have repeatedly proposed serious cuts to Medicare, which would rip away basic benefits seniors have worked their whole lives to earn.”

BACKGROUND:

Republicans Are Lying About Democrats Cutting Medicare

• Republicans are claiming falsely that pandemic relief will lead to cuts in Medicare due to a law called PAYGO
• In fact, the 2022 omnibus spending package halted these automatic PAYGO cuts for Medicare
• The 2022 omnibus also rolled back Medicare payment cuts for physicians, meaning the entire basis for the Republican argument is false

Nearly Every Republican Voted Against Protecting Medicare

• All but nine House Republicans voted against the omnibus bill protecting Medicare from spending cuts as the PHE ended
• More than half of Republican Senators also voted against the 2022 omnibus bill, while every single Democrat voted for it

Republicans Continue to Push to Cuts to Medicare

• The Republican Study Committee, representing over 160 Republicans in Congress, has advocated for Medicare cuts as recently as November of 2022 during omnibus negotiations.
• Republican leaders and recognizable faces like Rick Scott, Mike Pence, Mike Lee, Lindsey Graham, Ron Johnson, and Marco Rubio have all called for cuts to Medicare programs
• In January of 2023, 12 elected Republicans, from Buddy Carter to Brett Guthrie called for cuts to Medicare during debt ceiling negotiations with Barry Loudermilk claiming that “everything was on the table” when it came to cuts
• While Rick Scott wants to pretend sunsetting Medicare won’t lead to cuts, likening it to military spending, Representative Todd Emmer has said the quiet part out loud that “Republicans will not impact defense spending aside from efficiencies and waste. It’s the domestic spending that we’re going to go after.”

Medicare Advantage Plans Drive Insurance Companies’ Sky-High Profits and Have Long History of Fraud and Abuse

Washington DC — Over the past several weeks, the insurance industry has been running a massive advertising campaign to scare seniors into believing the Biden Administration is cutting Medicare. Republicans in Congress are echoing these claims to protect insurance company profits. 

In reality, the Administration is proposing to increase spending on Medicare Advantage by approximately $4 billion while protecting the program from overpayments, fraud, and abuse by big insurance companies. These efforts will improve the quality of Medicare Advantage plans – particularly for underserved populations, strengthen program integrity, and save the Medicare Trust Fund over $15 billion. In response, Protect Our Care Leslie Dach issued the following statement: 

“It is shameful that insurance companies — with the full support of Republicans in Congress — are running a multi-million dollar disinformation campaign to scare seniors in an effort to protect their sky-high profits. Only the greediest corporations could characterize a $4 billion increase as a ‘cut.’ Meanwhile, these same insurance companies have been accused of fraud and abuse in their management of Medicare Advantage for years. It’s no surprise that Republicans are echoing these falsehoods as part of their campaign to defund Medicare. While the Biden administration is strengthening Medicare, Republicans want to cut Medicare and threaten the health and well-being of millions of seniors.” 

Read the full fact sheet here.

Lacy McGee Was Invited by Senator Warnock Who Has Led the Fight for Lower Insulin Costs for All

Watch Lacy’s Story Here

Lacy McGee is an insulin user from Atlanta who attended President Biden’s State of the Union address as the guest of Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. She has previously been uninsured and, like so many Americans, struggled to afford her insulin prescription. Even when she was privately insured, Lacy continued to have a hard time affording this life-saving prescription. She has been forced to ration her insulin, use expired or friends’ leftover insulin, and even rely on the black market to obtain this lifesaving medication. Lacy’s story demonstrates the importance of extending the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 insulin cap to everyone.

Protect Our Care is highlighting the importance of lower insulin costs over the next two weeks. The Inflation Reduction Act capped monthly insulin copays for seniors on Medicare — a game changer for more than three million people, but an estimated 21 million Americans who use insulin are blocked from these savings as a result of Republicans in Congress. Reverend Warnock has been a leader on lower insulin costs, sponsoring the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs, not just for seniors on Medicare, but for millions of diabetics with private insurance. He is a committed health care champion who is fighting for a future where quality, affordable health care is a reality for Georgians and all Americans.

Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance. In a country where 80 percent of diabetics have had to go into debt in order to pay for insulin, this type of action by Republicans puts Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone.

When those who rely on insulin stop taking doses as prescribed because they cannot afford it, they suffer severe effects, such as numbness in their feet and nerve damage in the eyes. Taking insulin as prescribed reduces the likelihood of costly complications such as vision loss, heart disease, and kidney disease. Americans are dying as a result of high insulin costs. Read Protect Our Care’s fact sheet here.