New Congressional Report: Insulin Costs as Much as 21 Times More in Michigan’s 11th District than Abroad

WASHINGTON – On Friday, Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) released the findings from a new report by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This report found that insulin prices for the 23,000 Medicare beneficiaries living with diabetes in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District are up to 4.9 times greater than in other countries. In 2016 alone, insulin cost both Medicare and seniors in the 11th District 20 million dollars. Additionally, uninsured individuals in the 11th District pay an average of $583 for a monthly supply of insulin, as compared to the insulin price of $28 in Australia.

In response to this astounding report, Rep. Haley Stevens, who represents Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, released the following statement:

“The findings of this report are gravely concerning, and help illustrate why nearly three in ten adults report not taking their medicines as prescribed due to high costs. The exorbitant cost of prescription drugs is forcing thousands of families in my district to make impossible choices between taking care of their health and putting food on the table for their family. The outrageous cost of prescription drugs in this country cannot be tolerated any longer. I will continue working in the House Democratic majority to bring down the cost of prescription drugs.

This year, the House of Representatives has already passed several bills to lower prescription drug prices by promoting greater generic competition. I believe we should also look at other ways to reduce costs, such as requiring greater transparency in drug pricing, putting an end to “pay-for-delay” practices that allow drug manufacturers to keep prices high for brand name drugs, removing pharmacist gag orders that prevent patients from knowing the lowest available out-of-pocket cost for a drug, and incentivizing value by tying drug costs to health outcomes.”

The full report can be found online here. 

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