Diabetes and Insulin : We need to make more noise

[Vogon_Glory]

One of President Joe’s recent initiatives was to cap the price of insulin. President Joe’s efforts were not only opposed by most of the Republicans in Texas’ Republican congressional delegation, but also by Cancun Cruz and the other guy (The one who who plays being a senator on TV).

Insulin and diabetes are issues that I think Texas Democrats should pick up and run with. A LOT. of Texans come from populations prone to diabetes: not just Mexican-Americans, but also many Afro-Americans and white folks, too.

I have been spared the scourge myself, but I knew several people who died from this disease, two of which are relatives.

We’ve given the Repuds a free pass on this issue for far too long. It’s time to speak up!

[Deuxcents]

1. My RW rep voted nay

I called last night to voice my opinion of his vote. I’m in Florida but I keep trying..

[TreasonousBastard]

2. My diabetic care is dealt with by the VA, which is doing a...

pretty good job so far. 60 units of insulin a day, plus other meds and teats would be unaffordable if I had to deal with it myself.

It does keep me aware what the rest of the country is dealing with, and that is disgraceful.

[Hoyt]

3. Texas Democrats just did that.

https://texasdemocrats.org/press/texas-democratic-party-statement-on-republicans-vote-against-lowering-insulin-costs/

This is an example of how GOPers will reply:


“Hinson says she favors another bill that includes several bipartisan provisions. “It caps seniors out of pocket for insulin at 50 dollars per month, and it also allows our high-deductible health insurance plans to cover insulin before the deductible kicks in. So, the Lower Cost More Cures Act is a policy of again, 40 bipartisan provisions,” Hinson says. “And that’s the direction we should be moving, not passing on that premium increase to more than 200 million Americans.”

https://www.radioiowa.com/2022/04/01/hinson-explains-vote-against-insulin-bill-in-u-s-house/

We’re still vying for votes from the 5% to 10% of voters who will decide, and have been deciding elections for years.

[Chainfire]

4. How dare the President side with the people over big pharma.

My wife is insulin dependent. Regular insulin doesn't work for her, so she takes two types, long and short acting. Without insurance the cost would be unaffordable. People less well off than us just die from the disease. But, they are poor and do not matter to Republicans.

Insulin was patented almost a hundred years ago, so big pharma can not use their common cry, "Oh, the cost of research and development." The actual cost of producing a vial of the lifesaving drug is under $3.50 and Republicans are screaming at limiting the cost to $35.00. Republicans are paid to represent big business, not small people.

[myccrider]

5. This is a complete aside to your post...

which I totally agree with, btw.

But I recently cogitated about how everyone parses people by describing them as Mexican-American or Chinese-American, etc. and then call all the rest of us either plain American or just "white". I’ve taken to calling the rest of us European-American or Euro-American instead, because that reduces, slightly, the idea that we are the standard, the "normal", the default. I mean, all of us came from someplace else within the last few hundred years, too (except First People/Native Americans, of course).

Just a thought.