Georgia lawmakers push for new program for insulin safety net
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - State lawmakers are pushing for a new program to create a safety net for patients who can’t afford insulin.
HB 856 and HB 857 would create the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program. The new program provides up to a 90-day supply to low-income patients for less than $75.
Georgia Rep. Michelle Au sponsored both bills. The legislation is modeled after the Alex Smith bill ed in Minnesota. The legislation was named after a 26-year-old who lost coverage under his parent’s insurance, began rationing his insulin, and died a month later.
“This is a small way to address a big problem in our state. Having that human face and human story for insulin affordability is important because anyone can imagine that could be their adult son,” said Au.
Insulin is an essential hormone that turns your food into energy and manages your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes your doctor might prescribe you an insulin pump, injection, or inhaler.
RELATED: Here are the bills that have been filed so far in Georgia’s 2024 legislative session.
According to the American Diabetes Association, more than a million Georgians have diabetes and nearly 250,000 have it and don’t know it. People with diabetes have higher medical expenses, spending $11 billion a year in Georgia.
Pharmacist Kevon Pierre at 5Rx pharmacy in Smyrna said the prices of insulin are inconsistent and at times unaffordable. One of his patients with Medicare-D paid $10.35 for insulin in November and a prescription in January cost him $105. His concern is that the high prices could lead to his patients rationing insulin.
“Insulin for diabetics is a lifesaver, there is no other way around it. It can be deadly, there’s nothing else like insulin,” said Pierre.
The federal Affordable Insulin Now Act caps cost-sharing under private health insurance for a month’s supply of selected insulin products at $35 or 25% of a plan’s negotiated price. There are still people who are not included under these plans that need insulin.
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