April 12, 2023

Gallego Highlights Insulin Price Cap for Medicare Recipients

PHOENIX, AZ – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) held a press conference with local stakeholders at Valle del Sol highlighting the impact of the $35 a month insulin price cap for Medicare beneficiaries instituted by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“For decades, politicians in D.C. tried to take on Big Pharma and lower prescription drug costs and failed time and time again,” said Rep. Gallego. “President Biden and House Democrats got it done, delivering a cap on the cost of insulin for our seniors at just $35 a month. Now, we must keep the pressure up and put the cap in place for all Americans, so that no Arizonan has to choose between either food, rent, or the lifesaving insulin they need.”

At the press conference, Rep. Gallego was joined by Manny Hernandez, an insulin-dependent person not covered by Medicare; Teresa Dickinson, Owner of Melrose Pharmacy; Dr. John Molina from NATIVE HEALTH; Mary Lynn Kasunic, the President & CEO of Area Agency on Aging; Dora Vasquez, Senior & Executive Director of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans; and Paulette Rangel, Political Operations Director for Valle del Sol.

Thanks to the insulin price cap, 28,124 Medicare recipients in Arizona will save an average of $517 in annual out-of-pocket costs. The IRA also caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year total for Medicare enrollees.

For a recording of the full press conference, click here.

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