Newly elected Democrat President Joe Biden faces a host of health care challenges beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joe Biden’s new administration should be helped by the changed political control within Congress enabling the new President to take federal action on insulin pricing that has been patchy at state level, just 17 out of the 50 states have price caps, and other issues affecting people with diabetes.
Action is expected on the rising cost of insulin following a report by Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden, the Republican and Democrat leaders of the Senate Finance Committee. Their report placed the blame on Pharmacy Benefit Managers who act as brokers between the manufacturers, insurance companies and pharmacies.
The contentious debate over the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act should be settled for the next 4 years.
The Self Management Training Bill was introduced to the Senate in 2019, but stalled. It focused on diabetes education for all but particularly among people not covered by Medicare. Many diabetes NGOs now hope with the changed majorities in Congress it could be revived.