Senators Collins, Shaheen, Warnock, Kennedy Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Cap Cost of Insulin at $35 Per Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and John Kennedy (R-LA) are today introducing bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans. The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act 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.

"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," said Senator Collins. "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."

"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," said Senator Shaheen. "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."

"I'm proud this bipartisan coalition of Senators agrees insulin should be affordable for everyone, including uninsured Americans," said Senator Reverend Warnock. "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."

"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 Senator Kennedy.

The INSULIN Act would directly address the root problems in the insulin market causing high list prices, while simultaneously extending vital patient protections, fostering competition, and broadening access to needed insulin products.

Specifically, the INSULIN Act:

1. Limits out-of-pocket costs for patients with diabetes by ensuring that group and individual market health plans must 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;
2. Mandates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) pass through 100% of insulin rebates and other discounts received from manufacturers to plan sponsors, reducing incentives in the insulin market that encourage high list prices, thereby helping patients through reduced premiums;
3. Promotes generic and biosimilar competition to lower costs to patients;
4. Creates 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; and
5. Establishes 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.

As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Senators Collins and Shaheen have consistently pressed to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin, and otherwise support patients and families facing diabetes. Last week, at a Member Day meeting of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senators Collins and Shaheen previewed the INSULIN Act and underscored the need to pass the legislation through both chambers of Congress.

The bipartisan INSULIN Act is supported by the American Diabetes Association, Breakthrough T1D, and the Endocrine Society.

"The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has fought to make insulin affordable across the U.S. Unfortunately, insulin remains unaffordable for almost 30 percent of individuals according to an October 2025 national survey by the American Diabetes Association. Too many individuals have to choose between paying for life-saving insulin or paying for other life necessities like rent or food. The American Diabetes Association is proud to endorse the bipartisan INSULIN Act," said Lisa Murdock, the American Diabetes Association's Chief Advocacy Officer. "This legislation takes critical steps to improve access to and limit out-of-pocket costs for people with private insurance who rely on insulin to live. The ADA strongly urges Congress to act without delay to pass the INSULIN Act."

"Breakthrough T1D commends Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Susan Collins, Raphael Warnock, and John Kennedy for introducing this bipartisan bill to lower the cost of insulin for the millions of Americans who rely on it to live," said Lynn Starr, Breakthrough T1D's Chief Global Advocacy Officer. "The INSULIN Act builds on the meaningful progress made in recent years to reduce insulin prices and includes several long-standing priorities for which Breakthrough T1D has advocated. We are proud to support this legislation and urge the Senate to move swiftly to advance it."

"Making insulin more affordable for people living with diabetes is a top priority for the members of the Endocrine Society," said Robert W. Lash, M.D., the Endocrine Society's Chief Medical Officer. "We applaud the leadership of Senators Shaheen, Collins, Warnock and Kennedy to address this ongoing crisis. For years, our members have been alarmed about the lack of access to affordable insulin. We are pleased to endorse this historic legislation, which will make insulin more affordable for people enrolled in private insurance and people who are uninsured and need access to this lifesaving medication. This legislation will change and save lives. We stand ready to work with you to pass this critically important legislation."

The complete text of the INSULIN Act can be read here.

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