Schumer Pushes for Insulin Price Cap

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voiced support on Wednesday for the Affordable Insulin Now Act, a bill in Congress that would cap the price of insulin at $35 per dose.

If passed, the cap would apply to both private and Medicare insurance plans. The bill is carried by U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia. 

Schumer said the cost of insulin is consistently increasing because of complicated distribution networks and pharmaceutical companies.

“The cost that many have to pay is $600 now a month for this insulin,” Schumer said to reporters in Albany.

“When you add that to the other materials that diabetics need, the pumps and all that other stuff, the measuring stuff, it can cost … about $13,000 a year if you don’t have insurance. And very much close to that if you have junk insurance that has high deductibles, high copays, and things like that.”

Danielle Slater, an advocate for diabetes-related causes, said for some, the cost forces families to make tough decisions when it comes to their needs.

“With Type 1 diabetes, it’s not a choice. It’s an autoimmune disease. There’s nothing I can do to cure it, to prevent it,” Slater said.

“I shouldn’t have to make the choice of whether or not to feed my family, or pay for my insulin. The truth with insulin is that it’s a prescribed dose. It doesn’t really help me, or help others, if you don’t take your prescribed dose.”

While Schumer touted bipartisan support for the measure, he’s not claiming victory just yet.

 “No, I don’t think it’s near-unanimous. We have a lot of our friends who don’t want to pay for any kind of healthcare,” Schumer said.

“But there are several Republican bills that have been introduced that are similar. I believe one by Senator Kennedy of Louisiana, and one by Senator Collins of Maine.”

Schumer said support for similar measures is a good sign for potential change in the near future. The majority leader plans to bring the bill to the floor for a vote in March.