September 26, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 156 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H7996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRESS MUST ACT TO LOWER INSULIN COSTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rush) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the scourge of the 
diabetes disease in lower income communities all across our Nation.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 30 
million Americans are living with the dreaded diabetes, and many cannot 
properly manage this potentially deadly disease due to the high cost of 
their medication.
  Insulin is a critical and necessary treatment for those with 
diabetes. Since 1996, the cost of the most frequently prescribed forms 
of insulin has increased from just $25 to over $250 per bottle.
  According to a 2018 Yale University survey, one in four patients were 
forced to ration their insulin due to these skyrocketing costs, a 
potentially deadly practice.

                              {time}  1030

  No one, Madam Speaker, should ever have to forgo or ration their 
lifesaving medication, which is the very reason why I introduced H.R. 
366, the Insulin Access for All Act.
  This bill would prevent the most vulnerable citizens from having to 
choose between taking their insulin or paying their household bills by 
eliminating the out-of-pocket costs for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
  I encourage all of my colleagues, Madam Speaker, to join me in 
supporting this very necessary bill.
  Additionally, Madam Speaker, the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
Subcommittee on Health held a hearing yesterday to begin discussions on 
H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. I am a proud cosponsor of this 
bill. I firmly believe that passing this piece of legislation would be 
an important step in relieving the burden of rising pharmaceutical 
costs experienced by all of our citizens. This legislation would direct 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate fairer prices 
for some of the 250 most costly drugs, including insulin.
  Madam Speaker, no American should ever have to wonder if they can 
afford the lifesaving insulin that they must depend on. Congress must 
take bold action to lower insulin costs. Lives are depending on it.
  Madam Speaker, healthcare is a human right, and access to insulin is 
righteous and just and good.

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