WASHINGTON — Democrats’ high hopes to lower insulin costs for patients with insurance got downsized on Sunday, and now only Medicare patients will see relief at the pharmacy counter.
Back in November, the party had grand ambitions of capping insulin costs at $35 per month for all patients with insurance. But when they tried to insert the policy into the sweeping climate, tax, and health care package they’re advancing this month, it conflicted with Senate rules. Now, the plan only caps out-of-pocket costs for Medicare patients who use insulin, around a quarter of whom pay more than $35 per month right now.
Democrats and a surprising handful of Republicans tried to overcome the conflict with Senate rules Sunday, but they didn’t garner quite enough support to do so.
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