Richard Cowan and Ahmed Aboulenein

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The rising cost of insulin for diabetes treatment would be dramatically reduced by legislation that the U.S. House of Representatives approved on Thursday. This is a rare instance of Congress advancing drug price reform.

With few Republicans voting against the measure, it was approved by the House. The bill would limit patients’ out of pocket costs to insulin at $35 per month.

The current monthly cost of this life-sustaining medication is $375. It can also go up to $1,000. This causes some people not to take the necessary dosages.

“Nobody should be forced to ration insulin in order to reduce their costs, risk their health, and sometimes even cost them their life,” stated Frank Pallone (Democratic Representative), who heads a health committee during House debate.

However, the Senate would have to consider it. They are currently drafting a larger bill.

If successful, the Democratic-led effort could have wider ramifications to lower prescription drug costs. This goal was supported by Americans during the campaign for the November 8 congressional election, according to public opinion surveys.

Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, stated that this was “a significant step toward the secretary (of Health and Human Services),” and said it at Thursday’s weekly news conference.

Three Companies Sanofi (NASDAQ:) SA and Eli Lilly (NYSE) and Co and Novo Nordisk(NYSE:) have long dominated U.S. market for insulin. They control 90% of the insulin market in America, which was created in 1920 but has continued to increase in price to customers.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 34 million Americans have diabetes. Many have type 2. This is a form of diabetes that does not typically require insulin but which can be controlled with it. Nearly 1.9 Million Americans suffering from type 1 diabetes need insulin daily.

According to congressional reports released in December, Medicare, the U.S. government’s health insurance program for people 65 years and over and those with disabilities, it could have saved $16.7 billion on insulin purchases between 2011 and 2017, if Medicare was allowed to negotiate discounted prices with drug companies.

Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers dismissed this legislation as a government drug-pricing program; it is part of a socialist medicine approach that will lead to fewer cures while increasing health insurance premiums.