Unrig Our Economy Central Valley

Menu

Press Release on Valadao Insulin Vote

Rep. Valadao Votes Against Capping Insulin Prices for Sick Californians 

The Congressman voted against federal legislation that would have capped cap patients’ out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $35 per month.

 

BAKERSFIELD —  Despite representing a part of California that is home to some of the state’s sickest diabetic patients, Rep. David Valadao (R-Bakersfield) shamefully voted against federal legation that would have capped what patients out-of-pocket for their monthly supply of insulin. 

 

The congressman voted against H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now bill, which passed the House with a 232-193 vote. The bill would cap a consumer’s monthly out-of-pocket expenses for life-saving insulin at $35. 

 

“Medical debt crushes American families yet when faced with the opportunity to reduce that burden, Rep. Valadao voted against his constituents and in favor of big insurance companies,” said Alice Walton, spokeswoman for Unrig Our Economy Central Valley. “With this vote, the Congressman has once again shown that he sides with big, corporate interests, leaving working Californians to fend for themselves.” 

 

Rep. Valadao’s voted against capping insulin prices despite the ongoing health challenges facing his constituents. In Kern County, almost 78 percent of adults are overweight or obese, according to Kern County Public Health Services Department. More Kern County residents die from diabetes than anywhere else in California. Furthermore, more than half of the Kern County residents who died of COVID-19 were also obese or suffering from diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, according to Public Health. 

 

Additionally, according to Kern County Public Health Services Department, Kern County has: 

  • 2,198 emergency department visits and 998 hospitalizations each year due to diabetes
  • $84 million in hospital charges
  • 248 Diabetes-related deaths per year

 

This latest vote follows Rep. Valadao’s 2021 vote against the federal Build Back Better Act, which originally sough to cap insulin pricing, as well. 

 

One in four Americans living with diabetes rations their insulin in order to pay for other everyday costs like rent and food, according to the American Diabetes Association. The price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013.