Senate Panel Advances $35 Insulin Cap for Private Insurance in 17-5 Vote
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 22
Senate Panel Advances $35 Insulin Cap for Private Insurance in 17-5 Vote
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 22
Summary
$35-a-month insulin legislation cleared the Senate Health Committee 17-5, with 11 Democrats and six Republicans backing a nationwide cap for privately insured diabetes patients.
Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen lead the bill, which supporters say targets affordability for a drug many patients need regularly to control blood sugar and avoid serious complications.
Bill Cassidy opposed the measure even as his committee advanced it — an unusual split that underscored growing Republican openness to using government pressure to curb drug costs.
Tammy Baldwin restored a pilot program for uninsured patients with support from all Democrats and Collins, though uninsured buyers can already get insulin for $35 or less through TrumpRx.
Passage into law remains a long shot without a House companion bill, and the practical effect could be limited because many insurers already charge $35 or less; Medicare already has the same cap.