In observance of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Senators Reverend Warnock, Kennedy recently released a new white paper illustrating the urgent need for a federal law to lower high insulin costs

The report analyzed county-level data across the country to examine counties with both high rates of uninsured people and high rates of diabetes – which the Senators have termed “Insulin Deserts”

Following the report’s release, several grassroots organizations and advocacy groups released statements praising the report and its findings

ICYMI from USA Today: More than 800 U.S. counties are ‘insulin deserts.’ How these senators want to help Americans with diabetes

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock’s (D-GA) white paper titled “Insulin Deserts: The Urgency of Lowering the Cost of Insulin for Everyone” received widespread support from key advocacy groups and grassroots organizations. The report, co-led by John Kennedy (R-LA), illustrates the need for a federal law to lower high insulin costs by analyzing counties across the country with both high rates of uninsured people and high rates of diabetes, which the Senators have termed “Insulin Deserts.” Learn more about the report HERE.

The findings in this report detail how uninsured Americans, especially in areas with high rates of diabetes and high uninsured rates, face obstacles navigating already complex patient assistance programs—and how millions of Americans, particularly the uninsured, are being left behind by the exorbitant costs of insulin. Senators Warnock and Kennedy are leading the bipartisan charge in the Senate to pass a $35 universal insulin cost cap, and this new white paper makes a compelling case for why federal legislation is urgently needed to address the crisis illustrated by these Insulin Deserts, so insured and uninsured patients alike have access to affordable insulin.

Below are select statements from grassroots organizations and advocacy groups in support of Senator Warnock’s insulin white paper:

“For decades, millions of diabetics in Georgia and across the nation living in insulin deserts have been forced to pay outrageous prices for vital medication,” said Liz Ernst, Protect Our Care Georgia State Director issued the following statement. “Despite insulin vials costing only a few dollars to produce, drug companies unscrupulously inflate the price to hundreds of dollars per month, forcing patients to ration insulin and skip doses — which can have devastating consequences. This report illustrates the urgency to reduce the high costs of this life-saving drug for all populations. We commend Senator Warnock for his unwavering commitment to fighting for a future where quality, affordable health care is a reality for every American.”

“WorkMoney members have long known that getting and affording insulin is harder than it should be in America. This report shows how dire the situation actually is,” said CJ Grimes, CEO of WorkMoney. “We’re grateful that Senators Warnock and Kennedy have put together a bipartisan report and legislation that improves access to this life-saving drug and helps folks save hundreds of dollars on their medication each month.”

“First Focus on Children applauds Senators Warnock and Kennedy for shining a light on “insulin deserts” and for their attention to the particular struggles of children in the U.S. south and southwest and children of color,” saidBruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children. “While more than 352,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 have diagnosed diabetes, approximately 304,000 are battling Type 1 diabetes. It is well past time to pass federal legislation to cap the cost of insulin, so all children and their families can afford this life saving medicine.”

“Senators Kennedy and Warnock’s report highlights, again, the critical need for action to lower insulin costs, regardless of insurance status. Voluntary actions by drugmakers are neither sufficient nor sustainable” said Eric Sullivan, MD, Doctors for America. “Doctors for America applauds Senators Kennedy and Warnock for treating this issue with the life-saving urgency it demands.”

“The issue of insulin affordability is at an all-time high as nearly one in four Americans are forced to skip or ration doses of insulin,” said Sylvia Virbulis, DPM, President of American Podiatric Medical Association. “The “Affordable Insulin Now Act,” would address these issues by capping monthly co-pays for insulin at $35 for individuals on private health insurance plans and without insurance. On behalf of the more than 12,000 members of the American Podiatric Medical Association, we are proud to offer our support.”

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