'More Americans can now get insulin for $35' No Thanks to David Schweikert

PHOENIX — Despite Congressman David Schweikert's fixation on helping those with diabetes, Arizonans will now pay less for insulin per month thanks to legislation that Schweikert voted against.

Schweikert specifically said that Congress has a “moral obligation to find a way to end this misery,” but has voted against three pieces of legislation that would lower costs for Medicare and Medicaid patients with diabetes, along with a pressure campaign on drug manufacturers to help ensure that those cost savings could be enjoyed by those on private insurance.

According to CNN:

“Medicare enrollees now pay no more than $35 a month for each of their insulin prescriptions, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which Democratic lawmakers pushed through Congress in 2022.

“But drugmakers also faced changes to the Medicaid rebate program that would have likely cost them hundreds of millions of dollars each if they didn’t lower their list prices.”

That Medicaid rebate program was changed in the 2021 American Rescue Plan. Schweikert voted against both that law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Inflation Reduction Act also empowered Medicare to negotiate the prices of some of the most expensive prescriptions, including at least three medications that are commonly prescribed for treating diabetes.

“Congressman Schweikert claims to make helping diabetics one of his highest priorities yet he’s consistently voted against making their medication more affordable,” said Andrea Moreno, executive director of Honest Arizona. “If Congressman Schweikert truly wants to help diabetics, he needs to start voting to make their health care less expensive.”

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