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- The House passed a bill to cap insulin costs at $35 per month, for people with insurance or Medicare coverage.
- Democrats broke off a chunk of Build Back Better and some GOP lawmakers joined them.
- Here's a list of House Republicans that supported a key piece of Biden's agenda.
The House approved a bill on Thursday to cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for those with private insurance or Medicare starting in 2023. It's part of an election-year push from Democrats to address the rising cost of prescription drugs ahead of the November midterms — and to break off a piece of President Joe Biden's stalled economic agenda.
The vote for the Affordable Insulin Now Act was 232-193 with 12 Republicans joining every House Democrat in support. Five Republicans and one Democrat were absent.
Here are the 12 House Republicans that approved the measure:
- Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland
- Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington
- Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina
- Rep. John Katko of New York
- Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York
- Rep. Daniel Meuser of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa
- Rep. Bill Posey of Florida
- Rep. Christopher Smith of New Jersey
- Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan
The measure would cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 per month starting in 2023. It would only apply to Americans covered by private health insurance or Medicare prescription drug benefits. It wouldn't limit costs for the uninsured.
The bill is not likely to advance in the Senate in its current form, given Republicans are generally opposed to government price controls in healthcare. At least 10 Republicans would need to join all 50 Senate Democrats to clear the chamber's 60-vote threshold known as the filibuster.
The measure formed a key part of Biden's Build Back Better legislation. But the House-approved bill has gathered dust for the past three months due to opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Manchin wants a slimmer bill to limit prescription drug costs, though its unclear if that will materialize.
A bipartisan effort is underway in the Senate to try and strike a deal on restricting insulin costs. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of Alaska are spearheading the talks. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he hopes to put an insulin bill for a floor vote shortly after Easter.
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