Antonio and Craig Celebrate Bill Passages but Urge Further Action on Insulin Affordability Act
March 6, 2020
Nickie J. Antonio News
Today, state Sens. Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus) urged the legislature to take up the remaining parts of their Insulin Affordability Act. The Ohio Senate recently gave unanimous approval to their bills to establish Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Day, Senate Bill 230, and to encourage Asian Americans to be screened for type 2 diabetes, Senate Concurrent Resolution 7.
“Awareness bills are so critical. If we can make one more person aware of issues that can impact them, we can save lives,” said Antonio. “Now, I urge the Senate to consider the remaining, more substantial parts of the Insulin Affordability Act. These bills can help us reduce the burden of skyrocketing insulin prices on Ohioans with diabetes.”
The remaining bills in the legislators’ Insulin Affordability Act are SB 231, which would allow the Ohio Attorney General to investigate the price of insulin and SB 232, which would cap the price of insulin at $100 for a 30-day dosage. So far, the bills have received one hearing each in the Finance Subcommittee on Health and Medicaid.
“I’m encouraged to see movement on parts of the Insulin Affordability Act, especially those aimed at raising awareness of diabetes,” said Craig. “But there’s still work to do. We are asking for more committee hearings on legislation to make insulin prices fairer. We want to hear from the public and help break down racial and economic barriers to affordable health care.”
Among the recently passed legislation is SB 230, to establish April 26 as DKA Day. DKA is one of the severe complications of diabetes that can result from a lack of insulin. The annual day will raise awareness about the life-threatening diagnosis. SCR 7, approved by the Senate this week, aims to encourage Asian Americans to be screened for type 2 diabetes at a lower body mass index than the general population, at 23 as opposed to the medical standard of 25. Asian Americans are 30% more likely than their Caucasian-American counterparts to have type 2 diabetes and half of Asian Americans with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed.
“Awareness bills are so critical. If we can make one more person aware of issues that can impact them, we can save lives,” said Antonio. “Now, I urge the Senate to consider the remaining, more substantial parts of the Insulin Affordability Act. These bills can help us reduce the burden of skyrocketing insulin prices on Ohioans with diabetes.”
The remaining bills in the legislators’ Insulin Affordability Act are SB 231, which would allow the Ohio Attorney General to investigate the price of insulin and SB 232, which would cap the price of insulin at $100 for a 30-day dosage. So far, the bills have received one hearing each in the Finance Subcommittee on Health and Medicaid.
“I’m encouraged to see movement on parts of the Insulin Affordability Act, especially those aimed at raising awareness of diabetes,” said Craig. “But there’s still work to do. We are asking for more committee hearings on legislation to make insulin prices fairer. We want to hear from the public and help break down racial and economic barriers to affordable health care.”
Among the recently passed legislation is SB 230, to establish April 26 as DKA Day. DKA is one of the severe complications of diabetes that can result from a lack of insulin. The annual day will raise awareness about the life-threatening diagnosis. SCR 7, approved by the Senate this week, aims to encourage Asian Americans to be screened for type 2 diabetes at a lower body mass index than the general population, at 23 as opposed to the medical standard of 25. Asian Americans are 30% more likely than their Caucasian-American counterparts to have type 2 diabetes and half of Asian Americans with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed.