ICYMI: POLITICO Highlights Advance of Senator Collins’ Bipartisan $35 Insulin Cap

WASHINGTON, D.C. - POLITICO highlighted the bipartisan Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee vote to advance the INSULIN Act, landmark legislation led by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and John Kennedy (R-LA).

The legislation advanced by a vote of 17-5, with six Republicans joining all 11 Democrats on the Committee. The bill would cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for Americans with private insurance and create a pilot program to help uninsured patients access insulin at the same price.

"Health Committee advances Collins' insulin price cap over GOP objections"
POLITICO | Simon Levien

"The Republican-led Senate Health Committee voted Wednesday to advance legislation over the objection of its chair to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month for diabetes patients on private insurance.

"One of the chief sponsors of the INSULIN Act is Maine Republican Susan Collins, who Democrats are banking on beating in November in order to regain control of the chamber.

"Collins immediately touted the bill's committee approval in a statement, saying that it showed how effective she is at working with Democrats. 'Too many patients [are] struggling to afford lifesaving insulin,' she said. 'I will keep working across the aisle to lower costs, strengthen Maine's health care workforce, and help better ensure that people in every part of our state can access quality, affordable care close to home.'

"The measure was approved 17-5 with the panel's 11 Democrats joined by six Republicans. Five Republicans voted no, including Chair Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a highly unusual outcome.

"But the backing of six Republicans showed how much the GOP has shifted in the Trump era in its willingness to pressure businesses to cut prices and even use the power of government to force companies to do so." […]

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Following the Committee vote, Senators Collins, Shaheen, Warnock, and Kennedy issued the following statement celebrating the continued bipartisan support for their legislation:

"We applaud the advancement of our bipartisan legislation to make insulin more affordable out of the Senate HELP Committee. We are glad that our colleagues on the Committee agreed that action is sorely needed to lower health care costs for American families, including the millions of people who need insulin every day just to survive but struggle to make ends meet. Today's vote brings us another step closer to making insulin affordable and available to those whose lives depend on it and demonstrates the continued bipartisan momentum behind our legislation. We will continue to work every day to get this vital piece of legislation to the Senate floor for a vote."

The INSULIN Act is backed by 29 senators from both parties. In addition to Senators Collins, Shaheen, Warnock, and Kennedy, supporters include Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Katie Britt (R-AL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jim Banks (R-IN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

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