Legislation aimed at capping insulin prices at $35 monthly for people with private insurance is gaining traction in Congress. Introduced in March, the bill recently added four new co-sponsors: Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).
The bill, now supported by 22 bipartisan co-sponsors, addresses growing concerns about healthcare affordability. A KFF poll in April highlighted healthcare costs as a top priority for many. The initial version of this bill, introduced in 2023 with 13 co-sponsors, including seven Republicans, did not advance beyond committee discussions.
Sponsored by Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.), along with Republicans Susan Collins (Maine) and John Kennedy (La.), the bill seeks to extend the current $35 cap set for Medicare patients under the Inflation Reduction Act. This extension would include individual plans on the ObamaCare marketplaces and other commercial plans.
It also proposes a pilot grant program in 10 states to provide insulin to uninsured diabetes patients at $35 a month. The legislation mandates group and individual market health plans to waive any deductible and limit cost-sharing for at least one insulin type and dosage to $35 or 25% of the list price per month.
Lawmakers aim to attach this legislation to essential healthcare program extensions due at the year’s end.
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