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- Senate Republicans stripped the $35 insulin coverage from the climate and health bills for those with private insurance.
- Seven Republicans joined 50 Democrats in wanting to keep the provision in the bill, which fell by three votes.
- When the reconciliation bill passed through the Senate, the vote was part of a “vote-a-rama.”
Senate Republicans on Sunday successfully eliminated the $35 monthly cost of insulin for many patients as part of the Democratic-led climate, health and tax reconciliation bill.
The insulin cap has been a high-profile policy goal for Democrats, to make the provision applicable to Medicare beneficiaries as well as Americans with private health insurance.
While GOP lawmakers did not oppose the section that would apply to Medicare patients, after talks about a possible bipartisan deal earlier this year, they were able to lift the cap on people using private insurance.
A Senate lawmaker — tasked with analyzing reconciliation bills to ensure they meet strict procedural rules — ruled that the hat was not as permitted under the guidelines.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Budget Committee, raised a point of order on the insulin cap, arguing that it violates Congress’s budget rules — so it needs at least 60 votes to stay. In the larger account.
In a 57-43 vote, seven Republicans joined all 50 Democrats in seeking to keep the provision in the larger bill, falling short by three votes.
Republican lawmakers who voted to keep the provision in the law included Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, John Kennedy and Lisa Murkowski of Louisiana, and Dan Sullivan of Alaska. .
Democrats were quick to condemn the move. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, chairman of the Finance Committee, has sharply criticized Republicans’ opposition to cutting insulin spending.
“Republicans have gone on record in favor of expensive insulin,” he said in a statement after the vote. “After years of tough talk about taking on insulin makers, Republicans are once again taking the heat from Big Pharma.”
“I think it’s a shame,” Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth said in an interview. “I have people who really choose whether they can buy insulin or food.”
He continued, “Fortunately, the $35 insulin copay cap in Medicare remains in the bill, so seniors can get relief from high insulin costs. I will continue to work to provide lower insulin costs for all Americans.”
Democrats, who control the evenly divided Senate because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote, are following party-line legislation through the reconciliation process, which would allow them to overcome a 60-vote filibuster for a major bill.
The tax and climate bill — officially called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 — would allow three years of subsidies for individuals to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and would provide about $370 billion and $300 billion for climate and energy programs, respectively. To reduce the federal budget deficit.
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