In the US, prices for insulin have been skyrocketing in the last years. Thus, the Endocrine Society applauds the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes measures to lower insulin prices. But challenges remain.
The Endocrine Society cheered the Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including meaningful measures to make insulin more affordable.
The bill’s passage is a historic step in addressing the problem of insulin affordability. More than 7 million people in the U.S. rely on insulin to manage their diabetes and live. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37.3 million people nationwide have diabetes – 11 percent of the country’s population.
While insulin was discovered more than 100 years ago, the price nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013, and the upwards trend has continued over the past decade. This has resulted in some people with diabetes being forced to choose between insulin and groceries as well as having to ration their medication and become sicker, and, in some cases, even die.
The Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions to lower the price of insulin and a cap on out-of-pocket insulin costs for people on Medicare. Unfortunately, the Senate missed an important opportunity to also help children and adults with type 1 diabetes. Forty-three Republicans voted against including a provision that would have capped out-of-pocket costs for individuals with private insurance that the Society supported.
The Society has worked for years to help patients and make life-saving insulin more affordable. Thus, their position statement identified a spectrum of policy options for addressing the issue. The Society worked closely with Senators and Representatives on both sides of the aisle to try and find consensus. In addition, they conducted briefings and Hill Days, testified on Capitol Hill, organized grassroots campaigns, and met with Members of Congress to discuss the impact of high insulin prices on people with diabetes and call for action.
This article is based on a press release by The Endocrine Society.
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