Congresswoman Brown, CBC Colleagues, Speak on Diabetes Awareness, Black Public Health, and IRA Benefits

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and several colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus, held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to highlight National Diabetes Month, discuss the impact of diabetes on their constituents and the communities they represent, and call attention to the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 per month cap on insulin.

November has been proclaimed National Diabetes Month by President Biden, noting that 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes.

Congresswoman Brown was joined by Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04)
and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (OH-13).

“While diabetes impacts every neighborhood in this country, and it is especially prevalent among Black Americans, who are more likely to have diabetes, more likely to be hospitalized, and more likely to die from this disease. The stark disparities among diabetics reveal so much that has been wrong about our past and present, including in Northeast Ohio, but it doesn’t have to be the future. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act – passed by House Democrats and signed by President Biden – we are lowering insulin costs for those on Medicare, saving people with diabetes hundreds of dollars a year. I will continue to work with my colleagues to expand access to health care, fight for justice and equity, and support funding for diabetes treatment and research,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black Americans are 60% more likely than whites to be diagnosed with diabetes. In addition to higher prevalence, the health outcomes are also worse, as they are 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized and twice as likely to die from the disease. Since 2001, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes for Black and Hispanic youth has increased by 95%.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden on August 16, 2022, insulin is capped at $35 per month under Medicare prescription drug coverage, Traditional Medicare, and Medicare Advantage.

###