Kennedy, Collins, Shaheen, Warnock introduce bill to cap cost of insulin at $35 per month

WASHINGTON - Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) today introduced the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act. The legislation would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Americans on private and employer insurance and create a pilot program to provide insulin at the same cost to Americans without insurance.

"When moms and dads lie down to sleep at night and can't, they're usually worried about the cost of living-and for a whole lot of families in Louisiana, one of the biggest worries is how they're going to pay for life-saving medication like insulin. I've been working for years on legislation capping insulin prices and making it easier for folks living with diabetes to get the essential medication they need without going broke. Our bipartisan INSULIN Act would save Americans money, help them avoid life-threatening diabetes complications, and make our health care system look a bit more like we designed it on purpose," said Kennedy.

"Tens of millions of Americans rely on insulin as part of their daily treatment, and for many, it is literally a matter of life and death. I have heard far too many stories from people in Maine and across the country who have been forced to ration their insulin because of the cost, and that is simply unacceptable. This bipartisan legislation would cap the cost of insulin at $35 and address underlying issues in the insulin market so that more patients-both insured and uninsured-can afford the medication they need," said Collins.

"The cost of insulin is getting more expensive year after year, forcing one in five Americans with diabetes to ration their insulin. That is completely unacceptable, and it's particularly galling at a time when costs for Americans-including health care prices-are going up across the board. Our legislation maps out a comprehensive, commonsense plan that will finally lower the cost of insulin for diabetic patients, regardless of their insurance status. In the greatest country in the world, patients shouldn't have to go bankrupt for medication they need to live," said Shaheen.

"I'm proud this bipartisan coalition of Senators agrees insulin should be affordable for everyone, including uninsured Americans. Our legislation finally caps the cost of insulin for everyone and provides a pathway of funding to community health centers so they can continue reaching uninsured people who need affordable insulin. No one should be forced to put their health or life in danger because they can't afford insulin or don't know where to get it," said Warnock.

Background:

The average insulin-dependent diabetic pays $4,800 in out-of-pocket expenses each year related to medical appointments, supplies and medications.

These high costs often result in diabetics rationing or going without necessary medication. One in six nonelderly Americans with diabetes admitted to rationing their prescribed insulin doses due to financial concerns.

In response, the INSULIN Act would:

• Ensure that group and individual market health plans waive any deductible and limit cost-sharing to no more than $35 or 25% of list price per month for at least one insulin of each type and dosage form.

• Mandate pharmacy benefit managers pass through 100% of insulin rebates and other discounts received from manufacturers to plan sponsors.

• Promote generic and biosimilar competition to lower costs to patients.

• Create a pilot grant program for 10 states to implement programs to identify people with diabetes who are uninsured and provide them with insulin at $35 per month.

• Establish an insulin resource center and hotline for people with diabetes who are uninsured to connect them with resources about diabetes and programs to help them secure insulin.

In addition to the INSULIN Act, Kennedy and Warnock have also championed their Affordable Insulin Now Act. This legislation, which Kennedy and Warnock first introduced in 2023, would ensure that every American-with or without health insurance-has access to a 30-day supply of insulin for no more than $35 per month.

View full text of the INSULIN Act here.