NURS 6050 Week 4 Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

I support S.954, the Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023. Insulin saves millions of diabetic Americans, yet its high cost has become a public health problem. Insulin affordability and availability for all are addressed by this crucial legislation (congress, 2023). Diabetic patients must have a difficult choice: restrict their insulin or miss doses due to its expensive cost (Ewen et al., 2019). This can cause blindness, amputations, and death, which is intolerable. We cannot deny life-saving medication to people who desperately require it.

Social Determinants

High insulin prices disproportionately affect some groups (Milstead & Short, 2019). Recognizing how socioeconomic determinants of health worsen this issue is crucial.

Low-income people are more likely to be uninsured, making insulin expensive. They must choose between insulin and food or lodging. Also, fixed-income older adults are especially exposed to high insulin spending. Financial constraints frequently prevent them from keeping up with insulin prices. Additionally, low-educated people may struggle with the complicated healthcare system. Another obstacle to health is the lack of diabetes management and insulin supplies. Pregnancy-related insulin needs can vary for men and women with diabetes (Murray & Reynolds, 2020). Financial hardship from insulin expenditures can worsen pregnancy stress and affect a woman and her infant.

Addressing Opponents

I understand pharmaceutical companies’ fears about pricing constraints hurting diabetic treatment innovation. The existing system is unsustainable. We can collaborate to discover affordable and ongoing research solutions. Alternative pricing models like value-based pricing promote innovation and ensure patient affordability (Milstead & Short, 2019). Increased government support for diabetes research can keep innovation without high drug prices. S.954 may raise financial problems. However, we can think long-term. Making insulin cheaper may not be worth the high expense of addressing problems from missed insulin injections. Also, inexpensive insulin can improve diabetes management and make people healthier, cutting healthcare expenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, S.954 rationally addresses a developing public health problem. I urge the health of millions of Americans who depend on insulin to be prioritized. By passing this bill, we can move toward an equitable system of healthcare that recognizes the social factors of health and provides life-saving pharmaceuticals to all.

References

congress. (2023). Congress.gov | library of Congress. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/

Ewen, M., Joosse, H.-J., Beran, D., & Laing, R. (2019). Insulin prices, availability and affordability in 13 low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Global Health, 4(3), e001410. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001410

Milstead, & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics. In Google Books. Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=P8E6DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=health+policy+and+politics:+A+nurse%27s+guide+6th+edition&ots=kjjw7U8uMT&sig=fmvv9ygJQMKhmAz9ik7h2Smh-lM

Murray, S. R., & Reynolds, R. M. (2020). Short‐ and long‐term outcomes of gestational diabetes and its treatment on fetal development. Prenatal Diagnosis, 40(9), 1085–1091. https://doi.org/10.1002/pd.5768