In a significant move to make healthcare more affordable, the Biden Administration, alongside Democrats in Congress, has successfully pressured pharmaceutical companies to cap the out-of-pocket costs for insulin and inhalers at $35 a month. This initiative is part of broader efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the United States, with legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act playing a key role. The act, passed in 2022, aimed to reduce healthcare costs for seniors in South Texas, and today, it has led to the capping of insulin prices for Medicare recipients. Similarly, efforts by lawmakers have resulted in three of the four major inhaler manufacturers agreeing to cap prices, a move that is particularly impactful given the high asthma rates in Allentown and the fact that an inhaler can cost as much as $600 each without insurance in the U.S., compared to much lower prices in Europe. Despite these advances, officials emphasize that more work is needed to combat the high costs imposed by the pharmaceutical industry, with further legislation and negotiations proposed to extend these price caps and reduce prices on additional prescription drugs, aiming to save taxpayers $200 billion.
Thanks to legislation I signed into law, Medicare can finally negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs. In fact, 10 drugs are in the negotiation process right now. My budget takes it further, proposing we negotiate on 50 drugs a year and saving taxpayers $200 billion. https://t.co/stPXgOzKBh
We stood up to Big Pharma … and won, despite the hundreds of millions of dollars in lobbyists, propaganda and threats that drug corporations deployed to try to stop progress on prescription drug affordability. Read more in my op-ed ⬇️ https://t.co/S8mVhXjg4V
We’ve made big moves to bring down the cost of prescription drugs and make health care more accessible and affordable for all—but we have more work to do. That’s why I’m working toward Medicare for All.
President Biden and @HouseDemocrats are fighting to lower costs for everyday Americans. That’s why we capped the price of insulin at $35 per month for seniors and forced big corporations to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. WATCH: https://t.co/wG16FVTYe2
Several drug manufacturers have done the right thing by capping inhaler prices at $35. Now, it’s time for ALL pharmaceutical companies to follow suit. I will keep fighting to lower the cost of these and other lifesaving medications that Americans rely on to stay healthy. https://t.co/hsJV1PzK6z
Too many hard working Americans can’t afford basic health care costs nowadays— that’s absurd. This morning, I was proud to stand with my colleagues to call on drug manufacturers to lower the cost of inhalers to $35 a month for customers. https://t.co/fPX2iht1u4
First insulin, now inhalers. Three of the four big inhaler manufacturers capped out-of-pocket costs for their inhalers at $35 because of Democratic political pressure. Teva — the fourth —should follow suit with an out-of-pocket cap. Even more importantly, insurance companies… https://t.co/0lMeRRtQ1W
Lawmakers say an inhaler can cost as much as $600 each if you don’t have insurance but the same brands cost just a fraction of that in Europe. https://t.co/NOC4lkq6oL
This was BIG from the @WhiteHouse: Thanks to pressure from @POTUS and Democrats in Congress, three Big Pharma companies are capping inhaler costs at $35/month for millions of people! We’re committed to driving down the prices of lifesaving medications and ending price-gouging! https://t.co/cv2McDWPF3
Allentown has some of the worst asthma rates in the country. Now, after tireless advocacy, some major companies are lowering the cost of inhalers for the millions of Americans who depend on them. I’m calling on all drug companies to follow suit & cap the cost of inhalers at $35. https://t.co/SEGsVHDmgZ
I won't stop fighting for fair drug prices because even the best medications can't work if you can't afford them. My colleagues and I have put pressure on pharmaceutical companies and successfully pushed three major manufacturers to cap out-of-pocket costs for inhalers at $35. https://t.co/Xns3IBOOdv
Despite the incredible political power of the pharmaceutical industry, alongside the Biden Administration, we have capped insulin and inhaler costs, and lowered the price of prescription drugs. But let me be clear: More must be done. The fight is not over yet. https://t.co/llnT0plIiM
No one who needs an inhaler should be forced to ration or forgo their medication because of cost — all while big drug companies are turning record profits. I'm proud of my work to cap the price of many inhalers at $35/month and lower health care costs for Wisconsinites. https://t.co/8S46o60UAx
The Inflation Reduction Act is delivering for South Texas! I helped pass this legislation in 2022 to lower healthcare costs for our seniors. Today, insulin is capped at $35 a month for Medicare recipients. I will keep fighting to expand affordable healthcare for South Texans. https://t.co/LqXWg21DpI
Despite all the wealth and political power of the pharmaceutical industry, we are beginning to make some progress on lowering the cost of prescription drugs in this country. And we’re not stopping here. https://t.co/hC300idOgi