Affordable Insulin? Mast Says: NO!

At a time when it has been difficult to get bipartisan agreement on meaningful pieces of legislation that would make a real difference in the lives of Americans, it was heartening to see a group of Republicans cross the aisle and join with every Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation that would cap the cost of insulin at $35. The bill would ease the burden on Americans living with diabetes who pay thousands of dollars each year on the medication that makes their chronic illness manageable.

So, who in the Congress wouldn't support this potentially life-saving legislation for the nearly 30 million children and adults living with diabetes? Our congressman, Brian Mast, that’s who — one of the inexplicable and irresponsible “no” votes! With the price of insulin skyrocketing -- a vial made by Eli Lilly cost just $21 in 1999, but by 2019 it had shot up by 1000% to $332 a vial — diabetes has now become the most expensive chronic disease to treat in the country. The bill will now be considered by the U.S. Senate, where it will need 10 Republicans to join with Democrats to ensure passage. Will Marco Rubio and Rick Scott do the right thing? Floridians will have to let them know now how we feel about this — and to hold Brian Mast accountable for his atrocious record on this and other legislation. Reach out to our Senators and tell them, “Vote Yes for an insulin cap!”

Marco Rubio: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Rick Scott: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/contact

- Ellis Bromberg, DCSLC President