U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on March 25 unveiled a bipartisan bill that addresses the root problems in the insulin market causing high list prices, while simultaneously extending patient protections, fostering competition, and broadening access to insulin products.
Sen. Collins signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act, S. 4189, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Americans on private and employer insurance, and to 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,” Sen. Collins said. “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.”
Specifically, S. 4189 would limit 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 percent of list price per month for at least one insulin of each type and dosage form.
The bill also would mandate that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) pass through 100 percent of insulin rebates and other discounts received from manufacturers to plan sponsors; promote generic and biosimilar competition to lower costs to patients; and 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.
Additionally, S. 4189 would 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, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ staff.
“Our legislation maps out a comprehensive, common-sense plan that will finally lower the cost of insulin for diabetic patients, regardless of their insurance status,” said Sen. Shaheen. “In the greatest country in the world, patients shouldn’t have to go bankrupt for medication they need to live.”
The measure is supported by the American Diabetes Association, Breakthrough T1D, and the Endocrine Society.