Ohio congresswoman introduces bill to lower insulin prices

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lawmakers nationwide, on both sides of the aisle, are pushing for lower insulin prices. In Ohio alone, numerous pieces of legislation have been introduced in the past two months.

This week, District 3 Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty introduced HR 5364, also known as the "End Price Gouging For Insulin Act."

"I spend about $240 on a single vial of insulin," said Anthony Myer, a Type 1 diabetic.

He uses about three vials of insulin a month, adding up to about $720.

"And that's just for the insulin. The pump supplies are an additional cost as well," Myer said.

This is the expensive reality for more than 7 million Americans. In Ohio alone, more than 13 percent of adults have the disease.

"Insulin is an older drug. It's not a brand new thing so a lot of development costs should be long out of it. We understand price increases but we've seen this price go up, it's tripled and quadrupled in some cases in the past couple of years," said Life Care Alliance President Chuck Gehring, which oversees the Central Ohio Diabetes Association.

The 'End Price Gouging For Insulin Act' would have the secretary of Health and Human Services set a reference price for insulin. Companies selling above that reference price would owe a civil penalty.

For Beatty, the issue is personal. Her husband is diabetic and so was her father.

"When you look at everyday people as they try to figure out how to pay the prices when I can remember in 1996 when it was $25. Now you're talking almost $300 per vial. As technology has increased with making it easier, the prices should go down or at least be maintained at an affordable rate and it's not."

She is not alone trying to tackle the issue.

In October, State Sen. Hearcel Craig and State Rep. Doctor Beth Liston introduced a package of four bills regarding the regulation of insulin prices.

For Ohio's diabetic community, the efforts make all the difference.

"As recently as three months ago, have had to reach out to other people for insulin. Continue fighting and pushing. Without insulin I will die," said Myer.

Beatty plans to go before the Congressional Caucus on Wednesday to gain support.

From Monday to Tuesday, the legislation had already gained eight sponsors.

ABC6 originally published this article on December 11, 2019.