The announcement follows Senator Reverend Warnock’s recent effort urging Novo Nordisk to cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month

Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m glad that following my urging, another insulin manufacturer is voluntarily taking steps to make this life-saving medication more affordable. However, Congress still must step up to ensure that everyone who needs insulin can afford it. I’m going to keep pushing until we get it done”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after insulin manufacturer Novo Nordisk announced that the company would cut the price of their most popular insulin product by 70%. Earlier in the week, Senator Warnock urged Novo Nordisk to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs for patients at $35 a month. Senator Warnock has championed the effort to cap insulin costs at $35 a month for all insulin users, and in August 2022, the Senator successfully capped insulin costs at $35 a month for seniors.

“Novo Nordisk’s announcement is a step in the right direction,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Insulin is a 100-year-old drug whose patent was sold for one dollar. It’s unacceptable that anyone would be unable to pay for their insulin, yet one in four insulin users have reported rationing their insulin at one time or another. I’m glad that following my urging, another insulin manufacturer is voluntarily taking steps to make this life-saving medication more affordable. However, Congress still must step up to ensure that everyone who needs insulin can afford it. I’m going to keep pushing until we get it done.”

Key highlights of Senator Warnock’s insulin leadership below:

• In February 2022, Senator Warnock, a long-time champion for affordable, quality health care, introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 for insulin users on private insurance and Medicare plans.

• Senator Warnock worked successfully to build critical support for the legislation, including garnering co-sponsorships from a majority of Senate Democrats as well as securing the bill’s bipartisan passage through the House of Representatives. Additionally, the Senator secured major endorsements for his legislation from important health care and diabetes advocacy organizations, including the American Diabetes Association.

• Senator Warnock was able to successfully secure a provision of his legislation—a $35 out-of-pocket cost cap for Medicare recipients—in the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in August 2022. 

• Additionally, thanks to Senator Warnock’s efforts to bring national attention to this issue, in July 2022 major insurance company UnitedHealthcare announced it would eliminate out-of-pocket costs on insulin for all insured patients, and in June 2022 insulin drug manufacturer Sanofi announced it was capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month for all uninsured U.S. patients. 

• As part of his continued effort to bring moral urgency to this issue, at last month’s State of the Union address, Senator Reverend Warnock was joined by Atlanta resident and insulin user Lacy Mason (McGee). Lacy could not afford her insulin while in graduate school, often resorting to extreme measures to buy insulin.

• Earlier this week, Senator Reverend Warnock launched a new effort urging insulin manufacturers, including Novo Nordisk, and insurers to cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 a month.

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