Shaheen Statement on WH Announcement of Agreement to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

**Agreement includes long-term priority for Shaheen to lower the cost of insulin**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement in response to the White House’s announcement that a deal has been reached in the reconciliation package to lower prescription drug costs. The agreement in President Biden’s Build Back Better legislation specifically includes a provision to lower the cost of insulin, which as co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, has long been a top Shaheen priority.

“For too long, the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs has put New Hampshire families in the red, forcing them to make impossible decisions: put food on the table or pay for lifesaving medication. No American should have to make that kind of decision, which is why reducing drug costs was a top priority for me in this legislation. I am specifically glad to share that this legislation includes a provision to lower the cost of insulin, which I have fought for as long as I’ve served in the Senate,” said Shaheen. “Over 34 million Americans – more than 1 in 10 – live with this chronic illness.  We’ve all heard too many stories of individuals rationing their insulin because of the exorbitant prices – risking their lives so they can make ends meet. The Build Back Better legislation rights that wrong and delivers on numerous other priorities to lift working families in our communities in New Hampshire and throughout the nation. I look forward to seeing Congress get this done on behalf of the American people.”

As co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen has worked to increase awareness of the threats posed by diabetes, invest in research and improve access to treatment options. Shaheen has led legislation to roll back more than a decade of insulin prices hikes, and has consistently held insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin. Last year, Shaheen’s legislation to help increase competition in the insulin market and reduce costs for diabetes patients was signed into law as part of the fiscal year 2021 appropriations package.