Endocrine Society Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Address Insulin Affordability in the House
The Endocrine Society today applauded the introduction of the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act in the House of Representatives.
The INSULIN Act is a bipartisan bill to address insulin affordability introduced by Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), and Angie Craig (D-MN).
“The Endocrine Society applauds Representatives DeGette, Schrier, Miller-Meeks, and Bresnahan for introducing the INSULIN Act, which would help make insulin more affordable for people with private insurance while connecting uninsured patients to resources that can help them access this lifesaving medication. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all people who need insulin can obtain it and stay healthy.” – Robert W. Lash, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Endocrine Society
Similar to legislation introduced in the Senate, this historic bill would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month for people on private insurance. In addition to protecting access to this life-saving medication for millions of people with diabetes, the legislation also would establish a resource center and hotline to help people who are uninsured access insulin and also promote biosimilar competition to lower costs for patients.
Insulin affordability is a life-or-death matter for millions of people living with diabetes in the United States. People with type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to live, and many people with type 2 take insulin as part of their treatment plan. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 38.4 million people — or 11.6% of the U.S. population — have diabetes. In 2021 alone, nearly one in fiveAmerican adults with diabetes — about 1.3 million people — rationed their insulin.
“For the millions of Americans who rely on insulin every day, no one should have to choose between paying for their medication and meeting other basic needs,” said Robert W. Lash, MD, the Society’s Chief Medical Officer. “The Endocrine Society applauds Representatives DeGette, Schrier, Miller-Meeks, and Bresnahan for introducing the INSULIN Act, which would help make insulin more affordable for people with private insurance while connecting uninsured patients to resources that can help them access this lifesaving medication. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all people who need insulin can obtain it and stay healthy.”
The INSULIN Act aligns with recommendations in the Society’s Insulin Access and Affordability Position Statement, which calls for lowering the out-of-pocket cost of insulin by limiting co-pays to no more than $35 per month for insulin.
The Endocrine Society looks forward to working with the House of Representatives and Senate to ensure that all people with diabetes have access to affordable insulin.
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