Should monthly co-pays for insulin be capped? Several members of Congress say yes, including one from Georgia.
U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (GA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Dan Kildee (MI-08) reintroduced their legislation to cap insulin copays at $35 per month.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act passed the House with support from Democrats and 12 Republican votes during the 117th Congress but failed to make its way through the Senate.
The price of insulin has skyrocketed over 600% over the past 20 years, despite the fact that it only costs about $10 to make a vial of insulin. Due to its egregious cost, many Americans living with diabetes have reported rationing their insulin treatments.
“We must lower the cost of this life-saving drug for every single American,” McBath said in a press release. “This is a common-sense, bipartisan piece of legislation that would significantly improve access and affordability for insulin users, many of whom have had to ration or skip doses for decades. This is a policy that will cut costs and save lives.”
“It’s completely unacceptable that anyone would be forced to choose between putting food on the dinner table and buying their insulin,” said Rep. Craig. “This legislation will bring us one critical step closer toward changing that and ensuring that every American can access the health care they need. We can’t wait any longer to get this bill over the finish line.”
The bill has earned several industry endorsements including Social Security Works, Protect Our Care, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association.
“The American Diabetes Association, the leading advocate for cost-sharing limits on insulin, is pleased to endorse the Affordable Insulin Now Act again this Congress,” said Lisa Murdock, the ADA’s Chief Advocacy Officer. “The bill’s $35 monthly out-of-pocket cap on insulin for individuals with commercial insurance would be life-changing for the millions of Americans with diabetes who use insulin and do not benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare cap. This legislation is especially important for the one in four individuals with diabetes who report rationing their insulin due to increased costs.”
