Today, after six Michigan Republicans voted against Rep. Dan Kildee’s Affordable Insulin Now Act to cap the cost of insulin for many Americans at $35 per month, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes released the following statement:
“At least 1 in 10 Michiganders rely on insulin, and none of them should have to choose between paying for this lifesaving treatment or making their rent. Yet, right now close to one million living with diabetes in Michigan are being forced to make painful decisions as the cost of insulin soars. That’s why every single Michigan Democrat joined Rep. Dan Kildee, who led this initiative, in voting today to drastically reduce the monthly cost of insulin for Michiganders to $35 — and why President Biden has continued pushing to lower drug prices.
“Today’s absolutely shameful vote against capping insulin prices by six Michigan Republicans is a slap in the face to folks in our state who rely on this drug to live. This isn’t a complicated issue — and our elected representatives either stand for the needs of Michiganders, or they don’t. While Democrats remain focused on lowering costs for the medications folks need to survive, Michigan Republicans are siding with Big Pharma over Michiganders.”
This isn’t the first time that Republicans have shown they won’t act to address high drug costs, as earlier this month, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley admitted that a Republican-controlled Senate would not take action on lowering drug prices, saying “If we want to reduce drug prices, then we need to do it now [under a Democratic Congress].”
