In my 25 years as a Nurse Practitioner in Virginia, I have treated many patients with diabetes who require insulin to live. Uncontrolled diabetes has a staggering cost to the individual and their family as well as to the health care system and nation in general. It can result in increased risk of complications such as blindness, vascular disease and amputations, heart attacks, and death. Financial costs can include the cost of personal bankruptcy, unnecessary hospitalizations, loss of work, increased insurance premiums, etc.
This is why I cannot fathom why the Virginia 6th Congressional District Republican Representative Ben Cline voted NO on March 31 2022 on The Affordable Insulin Now Act and voted NO to the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019. He also voted NO again to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 which allows Medicare to negotiate lower drug costs, caps the price of insulin at $35 per month and caps the out of pocket drug costs for Medicare patients at $2000 per year.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act limits the cost for insulin under private health insurance and the Medicare prescription drug benefit to a maximum of $35 per month.
The Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs.
Medication costs are already not affordable and his constituents are suffering. By voting NO he is causing direct HARM to his constituents !
The full text of The Affordable Insulin Now Act can be examined at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6833/text
The full text of The Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 can be examined at:
Comparatively, Jennifer Lewis (candidate for 6th District Congressional seat) believes that no one should be in debt, go bankrupt, or die because of a lack of insurance or inability to pay for needed health care. She supports keeping prescription drug prices low, reducing premiums, enhancing the quality of care, and safeguarding those with preexisting conditions. Mental health and addiction services also must be prioritized and fully funded.
I have spent the last 25+ years caring for my patients. Perhaps Ben Cline should do the same.
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