Clyburn Applauds House Passage Of The Affordable Insulin Now Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn issued the following statement after today’s House passage of the Affordable Insulin Now Act:

“Of the more than 37 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, the lives of over 7 million depend on access to insulin. Yet, 1 in 4 insulin-dependent diabetics have cut back or skipped doses of this life-sustaining drug due to the cost. Rising by 54 percent from 2014 to 2019, the cost of insulin has created an affordability crisis for the 11.5 percent of South Carolinians living with diabetes.

“Today, the House passed legislation that caps the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month. This cap applies to all Americans with private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid and begins in 2023.

“My late wife of 58 years suffered the last 25 years of her life with the ravages of diabetes. I know firsthand the financial burden of this disease, even for those with insurance. This act will help stabilize and reduce the cost of insulin making this 100-year-old drug more accessible and affordable for the millions of Americans whose lives depend on it.

“I thank Representatives Dan Kildee, Angie Craig, and Lucy McBath for their leadership on this issue, and I will be working closely with Senator Raphael Warnock to get this life-saving legislation through the Senate.”