Here’s your midterm messaging right here
It’s almost humorous listening to Republicans like William Barr wanting Republicans back in office to “make America great again.” Barr doesn’t think much of Donald Trump, but he doesn’t mind using his catch phrase. Of course, it all depends on your definition of “great.” “Great” things have been done by Republicans on only rare occasion, and the ones currently in office certainly do nothing “great” for the American people. In fact, they tend to do the opposite, like blocking the cap on the cost of insulin.
Insulin is medically necessary for people with Diabetes. In fact, they can die without it. Insulin should be free to anyone who needs it to stay alive. Instead, Big Pharma has for years been capitalizing on the necessity of this drug by pricing it out of reach for many patients. Democrats hoped to lower drug costs with the Inflation Reduction Act, but Republicans, continuing to show how little they care for the American people, displayed that lack of care again this past weekend.
Washington Post reported that Republicans successfully removed the price cap Democrats put in place to keep insulin affordable. According to Washington Post, Republicans used old Senate rules to block the measure. Democrats have been trying to pass this relief for Americans on insulin for quite some time, and the Act would have set the cap both on Medicare and private patients. Republicans left the Medicare cap in place but stripped it from those with private insurance. Apparently, having to pay ridiculous sums of money for insurance had no bearing on Republicans’ decision to make patients pay out even more by taking away the cap. People who think that Republicans have their best interests at heart in any shape, form, or fashion are fools. Though Democrats can move forward with their plan without Republicans via reconciliation, that move also allowed Republicans to strip the cap.
Washington Post quoted Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR): “Republicans have just gone on the record in favor of expensive insulin. After years of tough talk about taking on insulin makers, Republicans have once again wilted in the face of heat from Big Pharma.” Who knows? Some if not all these Republicans may own stock in Big Pharma. We know all too well that Republicans are in office to enrich themselves, so that would not be a big surprise. Besides, what good reasoning could they possibly have to pass on an opportunity that helps the American people?
According to Washington Post, 7 million Americans require daily insulin therapy, and the cost to them is 40% of their income after food and housing. This is shameful. As Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) said: “The cost of insulin isn’t just out of control. It is devastating people. This should not be a hard vote to cast.” It apparently is for Republicans. Ten Republicans were needed to pass the cap, and only seven stepped forward to do something positive for Americans by waiving the reconciliation rules to allow the cap to remain. Let that sink in and take it with you to the ballot box in November.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years