NURS FPX 6050 Week 4 Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Legislation Grid Template
Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Health-related Bill Name | Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023 |
Bill Number | S.954 |
Description | The Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023 (S.954) would lower insulin prices for Americans (congress, 2023). It addresses this crucial issue with two main sections. Limiting insured cost-sharing is first. This clause limits insulin product costs to $35 per month for private health insurance users. They could also pay 25% of their plan’s negotiated insulin price, whichever is less. The second provision gives uninsured people insulin. The initiative would work with pharmacies and healthcare professionals to provide uninsured people discounted insulin. The government would pay the insulin cost exceeding the $35 limit. |
Federal or State? | S.954, a federal measure, would affect insulin affordability countrywide. |
Legislative Intent | Due of the excessive expense of insulin, which millions of Americans need, S.954 was introduced. Insulin shortages or missed doses due to high pricing might cause major health issues. The measure targets insulin affordability and availability for all. |
Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: Some members of Congress from both parties and patient advocacy groups like the American Diabetes Association support the bill. Their argument is that insulin saves lives and shouldn’t be expensive. |
Opponents: Pharmaceutical companies may argue that pricing limitations impede diabetic treatment innovation. Insurance firms may also worry about the bill’s economic effect. | |
Target Population | Private Health Insurance Insulin users are targeted by the bill. Limiting insulin out-of-pocket payments might assist this population. Insured diabetics are also targeted. This initiative helps people get insulin at a lower cost. |
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?) | S.954 is in committee hearings. Senate submitted the measure on March 23, 2023, and referred it to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs proceedings on November 30, 2023. |
General Notes/Comments | High insulin prices is a major problem. This issue might be solved by S.954. The bill’s success depends on handling the legislative process, gaining support, and addressing pharmaceutical and insurance sector concerns. |
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
I support S.954, the Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023. Insulin saves millions of diabetic Americans, yet its high cost has become a public health problem. Insulin affordability and availability for all are addressed by this crucial legislation (congress, 2023). Diabetic patients must have a difficult choice: restrict their insulin or miss doses due to its expensive cost (Ewen et al., 2019). This can cause blindness, amputations, and death which is intolerable. We cannot deny life-saving medication to people who desperately require it.
Social Determinants
High insulin prices disproportionately affect some groups (Milstead & Short, 2019). Recognizing how socioeconomic determinants of health worsen this issue is crucial.
Low-income people are more likely to be uninsured, making insulin expensive. They must choose between insulin and food or lodging. Also, fixed-income elderly people are especially exposed to high insulin spending. Financial constraints frequently prevent them from keeping up with insulin prices. Additionally, low-educated people may struggle with the complicated healthcare system. Another obstacle to health is lack of diabetes management and insulin supplies. Pregnancy-related insulin needs can vary for men and women with diabetes (Murray & Reynolds, 2020). Financial hardship from insulin expenditures can worsen pregnancy stress and affect a woman and her infant.
Addressing Opponents
I understand pharmaceutical companies’ fears about pricing constraints hurting diabetic treatment innovation. The existing system is unsustainable. We can collaborate to discover affordable and ongoing research solutions. Alternative pricing models like value-based pricing promote innovation and ensure patient affordability (Milstead & Short, 2019). Increased government support for diabetes research can also keep innovation moving without high drug prices. S.954 may raise financial problems. However, we can think long-term. Making insulin cheaper may not be worth the high expense of addressing problems from missed insulin injections. Also, inexpensive insulin can improve diabetes management and make people healthier, cutting healthcare expenses for everyone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, S.954 addresses a developing public health problem rationally. I urge to prioritize the health of millions of Americans who depend on insulin. By passing this bill, we can move toward an equitable system of healthcare that recognizes the social factors of health and provides life-saving pharmaceuticals to all.
References
congress. (2023). Congress.gov | library of Congress. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/
Ewen, M., Joosse, H.-J., Beran, D., & Laing, R. (2019). Insulin prices, availability and affordability in 13 low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Global Health, 4(3), e001410. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001410
Milstead, & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics. In Google Books. Jones & Bartlett Learning.https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=P8E6DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=health+policy+and+politics:+A+nurse%27s+guide+6th+edition&ots=kjjw7U8uMT&sig=fmvv9ygJQMKhmAz9ik7h2Smh-lM
Murray, S. R., & Reynolds, R. M. (2020). Short‐ and long‐term outcomes of gestational diabetes and its treatment on fetal development. Prenatal Diagnosis, 40(9), 1085–1091. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.5768