[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 40 (Thursday, March 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Insulin

  Mr. President, now on insulin, yesterday's news that Eli Lilly is 
capping insulin for patients at $35 a month is a very big deal. That 
will make an enormous difference for the millions of Americans that 
rely on this drug to manage their diabetes.
  I commend Eli Lilly for taking this much needed step, but, frankly, 
this should have happened a long time ago. There is no excuse for 
monthly insulin costing $600, $700, $800 a month and people quaking in 
their boots about whether they can take half the dose, a quarter of the 
dose, no dose at all and getting even sicker. So we are happy to see 
that this company ends its terrible practice of keeping insulin prices 
high, and they deserve commendation.
  It does bring up a few other points.
  First, Eli Lilly's announcement is good progress, but still not close 
to enough. There is no substitute for legislation, such as the 
legislation you have been offering, Mr. President, Senator Warnock. 
There is no substitute for legislation that locks down a mandatory and 
permanent cap on insulin for all Americans, not just those who get 
insulin from certain companies.
  Second, lowering insulin costs is a good policy that everyone on both 
sides should get behind. This should not be a Democratic issue or a 
Republican issue. It is something that affects people in every city in 
every State.
  And, third, now is the time to finish the job and pass a bill to put 
a $35 cap on insulin for all Americans.
  Last year, we Democrats made good progress in the Inflation Reduction 
Act to lower insulin to $35 for seniors on Medicare. It is my hope--it 
is my hope--to soon bring a bipartisan bill to lower prescription drug 
costs and cap insulin costs at $35 for everyone--for everyone--to the 
floor and pass it with support from both sides of the aisle.
  Let's get this done. It is so important for the American people. We 
Democrats are going to do all we can to get it done, hopefully, in a 
bipartisan way.