Walden, Guthrie, Burgess Applaud President Trump's Announcement to Make Insulin Affordable for Seniors

Statement

Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) released the following statement after President Donald Trump's announcement on lowering insulin costs for seniors.

"We applaud President Trump for working to make insulin affordable for seniors through a market-based solution. While Speaker Pelosi continues to push for price controls that would make fewer treatments and cures available, the president is bringing all stakeholders to the table to do what's best for America's seniors. This announcement builds on the president's ongoing efforts to lower prescription drug costs and could save seniors on Medicare hundreds of dollars every year. It's unacceptable that insulin has been around for decades, but the price patients pay continues to rise. We hear of too many people having to ration or stop taking insulin because they cannot afford it, and the cost of insulin is an issue we take seriously. In addition to holding hearings and introducing legislation to reduce insulin costs, we are conducting ongoing investigations to examine insulin prices. We thank President Trump for his continued leadership in lowering drug costs for Americans," said Walden, Guthrie, and Burgess.

Background

-On February 6, 2019, Walden, Burgess, and Guthrie sent letters to PBMs and drug manufacturers on rising insulin prices.
-The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing on April 2, 2019 titled, "Priced Out of a Lifesaving Drug: The Human Impact of Rising Insulin Costs," to examine the impact of insulin costs. On April 10, 2019, the subcommittee also held another insulin hearing titled, "Priced Out of a Lifesaving Drug: Getting Answers on the Rising Cost of Insulin."
-On December 6, 2019, Walden, Burgess, and Guthrie sent letters to top insurers to request information on why insulin prices have been increasing.
-The Lower Costs, More Cures Act was introduced by Walden, Ways and Means Committee Republican Leader Kevin Brady (R-TX), Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and then-Judiciary Committee Republican Leader Doug Collins (R-GA) on December 9, 2019. This legislation caps seniors' insulin costs.

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