Culpeper Star-Exponent: 7th District Residents Respond to $35 a Month Cap on Insulin Costs

Aug 29, 2023
Healthcare
In the News
Local Issues

CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT

Seventh District residents are enjoying this summer’s new $35 per month cap on out-of-pocket insulin costs, according to Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th.

In a July release, she shared stories received through a survey conducted to get feedback on how Virginia seniors have been affected by the new limit.

“I am a type two diabetic. My insulin costs monthly are running around $50 per month — now I’m only paying $35! Thank you Congresswoman Spanberger!” said George Lewis of Orange County in the survey.

The $35 per month cap on out-of-pocket costs for insulin covered under Medicare Part B went into effect on July 1, signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act supported by the local congresswoman. The monthly cap for insulin covered under Part D went into effect Jan. 1.

“I have a friend that asked me to seek financial assistance for medication expenses. Before I could put pen to paper, the assistance brought relief to her. Elders suffer more so than any others. Keep up the great work. The help is needed beyond comprehension. God bless,” wrote John Fortune of Spotsylvania County in Spanberger’s survey.

Even before elected to Congress in 2018, the congresswoman said she heard from Virginia seniors and their loved ones about the burden the skyrocketing cost of needed medicine places on some of the most vulnerable neighbors.

“These Virginians deserve real, tangible solutions to make these medications more accessible,” said Spanberger. “And as a member of Congress serving thousands of seniors who rely on the drug, I want to know whether this change has made an impact in their lives.”

An estimated 6,600 Medicare beneficiaries receive insulin in Virginia’s 7th District, according to Spanberger.

According to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, the cap will save a senior in the district enrolled in a standard Medicare drug plan who used Novolog — one of the most commonly-prescribed rapid-acting insulins — more than $1,500 per year.

Recent Posts


Oct 3, 2024
Veterans' Issues

President Signs Into Law Spanberger-Backed Bill to Cut Red Tape for Veterans Joining the Trucking Workforce

The “Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act” Would Cut Red Tape for CDL Schools & the Veterans They Serve WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden this week signed into law bipartisan legislation U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger helped lead to cut red tape for Veterans looking to use their GI benefits to pay for commercial driver’s license […]



Oct 2, 2024
Press

Spanberger Grateful for FEMA Disaster Assistance for Virginia to Recover from Hurricane Helene, Urges Congress to Pass Emergency Appropriations Package to “Meet Any Unmet Needs”

Congresswoman: “Virginia’s Families And Businesses Will Need Additional Support As The Full Extent Of The Devastation Becomes Clear” WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after President Biden granted additional federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Congresswoman also urged congressional […]



Oct 1, 2024
Press

Spanberger, Wittman Lead Bipartisan Effort to Increase Military Leave for Federal Employees Serving in the National Guard, Reserves

The “Supporting Federal Employees in the National Guard & Reserves Act” is Endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Fighters, American Federation of Government Employees, & Reserve Organization of America WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase military leave […]