Up to over 1 million people in North Carolina with diabetes, 12.4% of the state’s adult population, rely on insulin, which for some people can cost as much as $1,000 per month

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson released the following statement after seven North Carolina Republicans in Congress voted against a bill to cap the cost of insulin for many Americans at $35 per month: 

“Over a million people in North Carolina rely on insulin – but right now, many families can be forced to choose between making rent or being able to afford a drug they cannot live without. That’s why every North Carolina Democrat voted today to drastically cut the monthly cost of insulin for many North Carolinians – and why President Biden has been pushing to lower drug prices for Americans, including insulin. 

“Today’s vote by nearly the entire North Carolina Republican congressional delegation, including U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd, against capping insulin costs, is a slap in the face to the many North Carolinians on private health insurance and Medicare who depend on this life saving drug. While North Carolina Democrats are focused on lowering the cost of insulin and other medications Americans depend on, Republicans are siding with big pharmaceutical companies over North Carolinians. 

“This isn’t the first time that Republicans have shown they won’t act to address high drug costs, as earlier this month, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley admitted that a Republican-controlled Senate would not take action on lowering drug prices, saying “If we want to reduce drug prices, then we need to do it now [under a Democratic Congress].”

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