Brown Battles for Reduced Insulin Costs in Toledo

TL/DR –

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has been advocating for lower insulin prices for Ohioans, highlighting the $35 monthly cap on the cost of insulin facilitated by the Inflation Reduction Act. His continued efforts aim to extend this price cap to all Americans, not just those on Medicare. Brown also helped pass provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies and take on Big Pharma, as well as legislation to lower out-of-pocket costs of medicines for chronic conditions by requiring PBMs and insurers to pass on all savings they negotiate on the list price of a chronic condition drug to the patient at the pharmacy counter.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown Discusses Lowering Insulin Prices in Ohio

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has joined forces with Doni Miller, CEO of Neighborhood Health Association, and Gregory Kramp, Pharmacist at Neighborhood Health Association, to discuss his initiative to reduce insulin prices for Ohioans. Brown emphasized how the $35 monthly cap on insulin prices, brought about by the Inflation Reduction Act, has decreased costs for Ohio’s Medicare beneficiaries. His ongoing efforts focus on capping insulin prices at $35 for all Americans.

“Last year, we made significant strides in reducing insulin costs for older Ohioans, facing Big Pharma’s opposition. Our price cap on insulin is saving thousands of Ohioans hundreds of dollars annually,” remarked Brown. “But we’re not halting there. I am advocating extending the insulin cost cap to all Ohioans, assuring that no one needing this vital medication pays more than $35 a month.”

Brown has been a long-standing advocate for affordable insulin. He endorses legislation that caps insulin costs at $35 for all, and supported amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act to extend the $35 monthly cap to all Americans.

Recognizing the struggles people face due to high medication costs, Doni Miller, Neighborhood Health Association CEO, said, “By capping insulin costs, we recognize that medication costs are a matter of life and death.”

Pharmacist Gregory Kramp highlighted the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, where insulin prices for seniors are capped at $35 a month, saying that it has eased difficult choices for many seniors between food and medicine.

Ohioan Medicare Beneficiary Terry Hinkle expressed his gratitude, “If it wasn’t for this price cut, I couldn’t afford the insulin that keeps me healthy and alive.”

In the Inflation Reduction Act, Brown pushed to allow Medicare to directly negotiate with pharmaceutical companies, reducing healthcare and prescription drug costs. He also ensured that companies increasing prices faster than inflation pay a rebate to decrease costs for patients and taxpayers. The law will also cap Medicare’s out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 in 2025.

Beyond the Inflation Reduction Act, Brown leads the effort to reduce seniors’ drug costs by addressing abusive pharmacy benefit manager practices. In March and July 2023, Brown pushed for PBM reform and introduced bipartisan legislation to lower out-of-pocket chronic condition drug costs. Brown’s bipartisanPharmacy DIR Reform to Reduce Senior Drug Costs Act has also been a significant stride in combating high drug prices.

—
Read More US Economic News