There are over 34 million diabetes patients in the United States and for many of them, having insulin is as important as breathing. The way the system is set up, however, the deck is stacked in favor of more expensive brand-name insulin products.

According to the Center for Biosimilars, the annual cost of insulin for a patient with Type 1 diabetes doubled from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016. While it has been estimated that FDA-approved biosimilars could save patients and the health care system anywhere from $54 to $250 billion over their first 10 years on the market, these cost savings have yet to be achieved due to a slow moving approval process, patent considerations and anti-competitive strategies.

That is why I have introduced the Biosimilar Insulin Access Act. This legislation will help increase competition in the insulin market, expand availability to affordable insulin products and lower costs to patients who depend on insulin.

My bill will waive interchangeability requirements for insulin products granted biosimilar approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This will enable pharmacists to dispense and patients to choose which biosimilar insulin product works best for their individual needs instead of being forced to pay top-dollar for brand-name insulin, or a reference product. This is an idea that has been covered by the Center for Biosimilars, New England Journal of Medicine and one the FDA has indicated interest in pursuing.

The Biosimilar Insulin Access Act would be a milestone for the biologic industry, as it would allow an FDA approved biosimilar insulin to be the first biosimilar product with an interchangeable designation.

We owe it to Americans to fix our broken health care system. The Biosimilar Insulin Access Act will enable the FDA to quickly and safely make biosimilar insulin products, that are cheaper but every bit as effective as brand-name insulin, more widely available to patients who want it. 

This bill, while only recently introduced, has already made news. I spoke with the Center for Biosimilars about the potential cost-savings of this legislation and how it will benefit the millions of Americans who depend on Insulin. You can read the article by clicking here.

Click here to read my press release on the Biosimilar Insulin Access Act.

I also Spoke on the House floor about my bill, you can watch below.

For those of you who are frequent readers of my newsletter, this section may seem like old hat, but there has been a big development in my efforts to publicize the positive effects of vitamin D on COVID-19.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has recently made a public assertion that vitamins D and C can “lessen your susceptibility to infection” and recommended that people take vitamin D supplements as he does. This was reported by Insider.

"If you're deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection. I would not mind recommending, and I do it myself, taking vitamin D supplements," [Dr. Fauci] said.

In April, I sent a letter to Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Stephen Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), asking if their agencies had evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplements in relationship with COVID-19.

In May, I issued a press release addressing medical research studies out of Northwestern University and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland asserting that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in increasing the severity of symptoms and overall mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. Since then, I have encouraged people to take vitamin deficiencies seriously and have championed vitamin D supplements for those who need them. WISN reported on these findings.

In June, the assertion of my press release was rated “True” by Politifact.

I have also repeatedly called on the CDC, including from the House floor in August, to further investigate the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19, as well as other treatments, and explain the benefits of having a healthy immune system.

After Dr. Fauci's ringing endorsement of vitamin D, WISN reported on this new development and I thank them for taking the initiative to provide information to Wiscosninites that could potentially save lives.

Over 40% of American adults suffer from low-levels of vitamin D, meaning their immune system is not as strong as it could be, which in the age of COVID-19 is alarming. I am glad that Dr. Fauci has spoken up about the negative effects of having a vitamin D deficiency and the importance of keeping a healthy immune system to combat infections. As the country’s top epidemiologist, Dr. Fauci should use his platform to continue to promote the ways to obtain a healthy immune system and other things we can do every day to lessen the ill-effects of the novel coronavirus.

I again took to the House floor this week to let me colleagues in Congress know about these new developments and encourage them to tell their local news stations that vitamin D can saves lives right now as we await a COVID-19 vaccine.

One of the best parts of my job is nominating young people from Wisconsin's Sixth District for our country's military academies. I wish all applicants the best of luck as they seek to attend one of the U.S. service academies and serve our country. 

As you may know, Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

The deadline to apply for a service academy nomination through my office is Friday, October 9, 2020. The application can be found online at https://grothman.house.gov/constituent-services/service-academy-nominations.htm or by clicking the picture below.

September is National Recovery Month. On Thursday, I wore a purple mask to support Wisconsinites who have struggled with addiction and am praying for those in recovery. 

Under the Trump Administration's proposed expansion in the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, foreign groups will be prohibited from financing or promoting abortions or else they will forefeit their U.S. aid.

President Trump has brokered three historic Middle East peace agreements this summer. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and foreign ministers from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain joined President Trump at the White House to oficially sign the Abraham Accords. You can view the signed document by clicking here.

Thursday was my mom's birthday. Happy birthday Mom. I love you!

On September 17, 1787, the most influential document in American history was signed by our Founding Fathers. Thursday was Constitution Day, the 233rd anniversary of this historic event. It is more vital than ever for Americans to celebrate, appreciate and understand the principles presented in the Constitution. 

On Friday, we wished a happy 73rd birthday to the United States Air Force. A tip of the flight cap to all of the brave men and women who have worn the uniform of the USAF. Aim High, Fly-Fight-Win!

Friday was National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Let us never forget America’s prisoners of war and those soldiers missing in action. We must remember every patriot that makes the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, not only on this day, but every day.

Shanah tovah! I wish for a peaceful and happy Rosh Hashanah for all those celebrating. May your coming year be full of bliss and prosperity. #RoshHashanah

As your Congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the Sixth District.

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