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Round-Up: Protect Our Care’s Fortnight of Action on Insulin Calls for Expansion of $35 Cap

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February 24, 2023
May 21st, 2024
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U.S. Representatives James E. Clyburn and Lucy McBath Joined Protect Our Care to Call on Congress to Expand the Lifesaving Insulin Provision for Seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act to All Americans.

Over the past two weeks, Protect Our Care has been highlighting the importance of lowering insulin copay costs and calling for Congress to finish the job of the Inflation Reduction Act to make the $35 cap universal. Through nationwide events, resources, and social media, Protect Our Care has highlighted real stories of people currently saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on their insulin costs, as well as how a universal insulin copay cap would help all insulin users. For people of color, lowering insulin costs is especially important because they disproportionately suffer from diabetes and are more likely to skip, ration, or completely forgo insulin as a result of outrageous costs.

Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a provision that would have extended the cap to people with private insurance which put Big Pharma’s profits over real people. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to extend these savings to everyone. This would help an estimated 21 million patients afford this vital medication. 

Fact Sheets

Videos

Opinion Pieces

  • Arizona Physician: A Ray of Hope After the Inflation Reduction Act
  • Bridge Magazine: Opinion | $35 insulin cap and free shingles vaccine a blessing for seniors
  • Up North News: Nearly 60,000 Wisconsin Seniors on Medicare Need Insulin. So Why Did Republicans Oppose Biden’s $35-a-Month Insulin Cap?

Thursday, February 21 – Insulin Event with Representatives James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and Lucy McBath (D-GA-07): 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. “If there’s anything you cannot take shortcuts on, it’s the medicine that people need in order to maintain a good quality of life. … I know what families are going through with those children and not being able to afford the insulin. That’s not what this country is all about,” said U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn. “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,” said U.S. Representative Lucy McBath. You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

In The States

ARIZONA

Thursday, December 29, 2022—Arizona Physician Magazine Op-ed by Dr. Suganya Karuppana on the Inflation Reduction Act. Protect Our Care Arizona placed an opinion piece (pg. 14-16) in Arizona Physician magazine by Dr. Suganya Karuppan, chief medical officer at Valle Del Sol. In the piece, Dr. Karuppana highlights how the new Medicare benefits such as the $35 insulin cap and advanced premium tax credits improve health care costs for Arizonans. Krauppana writes, “Medicare beneficiaries will have more reasonable caps on out-of-pocket spending on medications, and my personal favorite, the Medicare $35 copay on insulin.” You can read the full op-ed here.

Thursday, February 9 – Post-SOTU/Insulin Event with Arizona Health Care Advocates. Saundra Cole, President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, and David Lucier, President of the Arizona Veterans and Military Leadership Alliance joined Protect Our Care Arizona to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care in Arizona and across the country, including capping insulin costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 a month, and expanded coverage for certain vaccines. “When Medicare was introduced our lifespan increased because seniors were able to get their medical needs met,” said Cole. “Seniors are a vital part of the community and deserve to live with dignity and respect.” You can watch the event here.

GEORGIA 

Friday, February 10, 2023 – Senator Raphael Warnock SOTU Guest Lacy McGee Video. Senator Warnock was joined by Lacy McGee, an insulin user from Atlanta at President Biden’s State of the Union address. Lacy has struggled to afford her medication despite having private insurance and has been forced to ration her insulin or even rely on the black market to obtain the lifesaving drug. Lacy’s story demonstrates the importance of extending the Inflation Reduction Act’s monthly insulin cap to everyone. You can watch Lacy’s story here, and view an ICYMI on Lacy’s trip to Washington, DC here.

MICHIGAN

Thursday, January 26, 2023 – IRA Vaccines + Insulin Event with HHS Regional Director Joseph Palm and Michigan Health Care Advocates. Healthcare leaders joined Protect Our Care Michigan to celebrate a record-breaking enrollment of 322,273 Michiganders into the ACA marketplace for 2023. This year seniors in the state and across the country are saving on insulin costs and life-saving vaccines thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. HHS Regional Director Joe Palm said record enrollment in Marketplace health coverage reflects the growing public awareness that health insurance is the lifeline that puts high-quality medical care within reach of middle-income families. “The 16.3 million people nationally – including 322,000 Michiganders – who enrolled in Marketplace health plans now have a way to deal with an unexpected illness or injury,” Palm said. “And thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed last year, they can continue to buy that insurance at an affordable price.” You can watch the event here.

  • Detroit Free Press: Michigan sees highest Obamacare enrollment since 2016
  • MLive: Record Michiganders seek health insurance through ACA marketplace in 2023
  • WXMI-TV (FOX-Grand Rapids): Michigan Sees Record Open Enrollment Numbers
  • Gongwer: Health Care Leaders Boast Record-Breaking Open Enrollment
  • MIRS: Vaccines Are Free For Medicare Adults Under IRA

Thursday, February 2, 2023 – Bridge Magazine Op-ed by Linda Vail on New Medicare Benefits for Seniors. Protect Our Care Michigan placed an opinion piece in Bridge magazine by Ingham County health officer Linda Vail. In the piece, Vail highlights how the new Medicare benefits such as the $35 insulin cap and vaccine coverage are a blessing for seniors. Vail writes, “Under the Inflation Reduction Act, as of Jan. 1, monthly insulin costs are capped at $35 for Medicare recipients. This is nothing short of a lifesaving game changer for seniors in all corners of Michigan, and a major step toward reducing massive racial and geographical inequities in health care.” You can read the full op-ed here.

Thursday, February 16, 2023 – Post-SOTU/Insulin Event with Rep. Dan Kildee and Advocates. Congressman Dan Kildee and health care leaders joined Protect Our Care Michigan to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care in Michigan and across the country. “I’ve worked to pass new laws to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs for the American people,” said Congressman Dan Kildee. “Because of our work, Medicare will be allowed to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, and we’ve capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors. Now Congress must build on this work and pass my bill to cap the cost of insulin for all Americans.” You can watch the event here.

NEVADA

Thursday, February 9, 2023 – Post-SOTU/Insulin Event with Rep. Susie Lee and Nevada Health Care Advocates. Congresswoman Susie Lee and advocates Barb Hartzell and Donna West joined Protect Our Care Nevada to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care in Nevada and across the country. Congresswoman Susie Lee said, “As I sat in the House Chamber on Tuesday to hear directly from President Biden, it was clear that we’ve made huge strides in the fight to lower health care costs, but there is more work to do. With the Inflation Reduction Act, we’ve capped insulin costs at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare, we’ve expanded access to affordable care subsidies, we’ve capped out-of-pocket spending to $2,000 for more than 46.6 million Americans with Medicare Part D, and Medicare can finally negotiate to lower drug prices, putting money in back in your pockets. But we all know there is more to be done to ensure that these types of savings are extended to every American and that’s a fight I will continue to carry throughout this Congress.” You can watch the event here. 

  • KSNV (NBC): Susie Lee highlights affordability of prescription drugs
  • KSNV (NBC): Rep Susie Lee Joins Protect Our Care 
  • KNPR (Radio): Rep Lee Highlights Healthcare Protections Through Inflation Reduction Act

PENNSYLVANIA

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – Vaccine and Insulin Affordability Event with Senator Casey, HHS Regional Director Dr. Ala Stanford, and Pennsylvania Health Care Advocates. Senator Bob Casey, Dr. Ala Stanford, and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Pennsylvania to highlight how seniors in Pennsylvania and across the country are saving on insulin costs and life-saving vaccines thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Senator Bob Casey said, “Because of the Inflation Reduction Act, an estimated 261,000 Pennsylvania seniors can now access life-saving vaccines at no cost and 87,000 Pennsylvanians are starting to see reduced costs for their insulin. These are huge milestones, and I’m proud to have fought for these provisions alongside Protect Our Care, which has been an incredible partner in protecting health care across the Nation. Dr. Ala Stanford said, “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, millions of Americans are already seeing lower health care costs as they access the care they need. Key pieces of the law have already gone into effect or will go into effect very soon. As of January 1, millions of people with Medicare now have their insulin costs capped at $35 per month for each covered insulin they take.” You can watch the event here. 

VIRGINIA

Friday, February 10, 2023 – Sen. Mark Warner SOTU Health Care Guest ICYMI. On Tuesday night, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address, celebrating the administration’s accomplishments and outlining further action to lower costs and improve health care for Virginians and families across the country. As part of the event, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) welcomed Marguerite Bailey Young from Fredericksburg, VA who demonstrated the importance of affordable and accessible health care for everyone. Marguerite is a 94-year-old type two diabetic and retired teacher from Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Inflation Reduction Act has allowed Marguerite, who is on a fixed income, to save around $2,000 a year on insulin.

WISCONSIN 

Thursday, January 12, 2023 – Shingles Vaccine and Insulin Affordability Roundtable with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Wisconsin Seniors. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin alongside Seniors from Green Bay and Appleton to highlight how Medicare enrollees are already benefiting from the Inflation Reduction Act, which took effect this month and is lowering costs and improving health care for millions of Americans. “Too many Americans are seeing the costs of their prescription drugs increase and are struggling to afford the medications they need to survive,” says Senator Baldwin. “That’s why I was proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act last year, to finally provide some relief for Wisconsin families and hold drug companies accountable for prioritizing profits over people.” You can watch the event here. 

  • City Pages: Baldwin Visits Green Bay to Speak on New Health Care Provisions
  • WisPolitics: U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin highlights lower insulin costs, free vaccines for seniors in Green Bay

Thursday, January 19, 2023 – Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Protect Our Care Wisconsin State Director Joe Zepecki on the Steve Scaffidi Show. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin State Director Joe Zepecki on the Steve Scaffidi show to discuss key measures in the Inflation Reduction Act – including what the Senator described as “critical reforms” that are expected to save seniors in Wisconsin hundreds of dollars on their health care costs, keep millions of people healthy, and prevent dangerous complications associated with diabetes, shingles, and other serious diseases. During the segment, Senator Baldwin described how the soaring cost of insulin has put folks with diabetes in Wisconsin and across the country at risk and celebrated the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 per month insulin copay cap for those on Medicare. “This is a huge reform that will make managing diabetes affordable – which is great news,” said Senator Baldwin. You can listen to the program here.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – State of the Union Preview Event with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Guest David Hovde. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Protect Our Care to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care across the country. “I was diagnosed with diabetes nearly 20 years and have been taking insulin for about 15 years and have watched as the costs have steadily risen,” said Mr. David Hovde. “I was fortunate, I had pretty good insurance but nonetheless, for two types of insulin, it was costing me several hundred dollars per month.” Senator Baldwin pledged to continue to fight to lower prescription drug costs for all Americans. “While the inflation reduction act is an extremely significant step, there is work yet to do (to lower health care costs),” said Senator Baldwin. Later, she referenced capping insulin costs at $35/month for all Americans and making the Advanced Premium Tax Credits permanent as top health care priorities. You can watch the event here. 

  • WMTV (NBC): State of the Union Preview
  • WMTV (NBC): Baldwin Speaks on Health Care
  • WISC (CBS): Wisconsin Impact at State of the Union
  • WSAW (CBS): Sen. Baldwin on President’s State of the Union
  • WBAY (ABC): Appleton Man is Invited Guest to State of the Union
  • Fox 11 News: Appleton Man to be Baldwin’s Guest at State of the Union
  • KBJR (NBC): Senator Tammy Baldwin Bringing Appleton Man to State of the Union
  • Wisconsin Examiner: Who’s on the Guest List for the State of the Union Speech
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin to take cousin of potential GOP rival to State of the Union
  • WisPolitics: U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Talks healthcare progress with her State of the Union guest ahead of President Biden’s Address to the nation 
  • As Goes Wisconsin: David Hovde, Tammy Baldwin’s Guest for the State of the Union 

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 – Insulin and State of the Union Op-Ed by Senator Baldwin’s SOTU Guest David Hovde. Protect Our Care Wisconsin helped placed an opinion piece in UpNorthNews from Senator Tammy Baldwin’s State of the Union guest David Hovde, an Appleton resident who relies on insulin to manage his diabetes. In the piece, Hovde highlights how the Inflation Reduction Act is saving Wisconsinites money on care and expresses frustration over Republican lawmakers’ refusal to lower insulin costs for all Americans. “None of these provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act should have been controversial; it’s a historic bill that will make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress did not see it that way. Not a single Republican from Wisconsin voted to support this new law.” You can read David Hovde’s op-ed here.

  • Up North News: Nearly 60,000 Wisconsin Seniors on Medicare Need Insulin. So Why Did Republicans Oppose Biden’s $35-a-Month Insulin Cap?
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