Over 37 million Americans are affected by diabetes and the U.S. House recently passed a bill that tries to make insulin more accessible. 

U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne says she voted for the Affordable Insulin Now Act that is proposed to cap the out-of-pocket costs of insulin at $35 per month in Medicare Part D and commercial health insurance. Axne explains what she is hearing from constituents in the third district. 

“Too many folks in our district sacrifice their insulin and taking their full dosage so that they can pay for food or electricity. So this literally is a life saving piece of policy

Some lawmakers have criticized this piece of legislation by saying it would raise premiums and fails to target the middlemen that contribute to high insulin prices. Axne says the bill would hit on a lot of those concerns. 

“Private insurance is going to be involved with it. They’re going to want to make sure that they get the best deal on their end as well. So they’ll be working with those folks behind the scenes, I’m sure. But the number one thing that needs to get done is just to have Americans afford their prescription drugs.”

She adds that insulin is one of the most used and least expensive drugs to produce and so it should be at a price where insurance companies can cover the costs and Americans can afford.