As the diabetes crisis continues to impact America, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is taking steps to ensure all Alabamians have access to a life-saving necessity for those battling the disease: Affordable insulin.
Approximately 568,000 Alabamians – constituting nearly 12% of the population – have been diagnosed with diabetes. The direct medical expenses for diabetics in the state total an estimated $4.2 billion annually.
Britt (R-Montgomery) conveyed those figures and the urgency during a Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing this week.
“For many, insulin is essential for their long-term health and survival. Alabamians should not have to make the unthinkable choice about whether to purchase life-saving insulin or another basic necessity like food simply due to the drug’s prohibitive cost,” she said.
Britt is co-sponsoring two bills aimed at facilitating insulin access for Alabamians and all Americans. Those solutions already are winning support among senators across both parties and many states.
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The Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2023, aims to cap the price of insulin at $35 for a 30-day supply for all patients – including those who are uninsured. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).
The other bill co-sponsored by Britt is the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act of 2023 – a comprehensive plan addressing the skyrocketing costs of insulin and enhancing its accessibility for millions.
It aims to limit out-of-pocket costs for patients, prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from implementing utilization management tools (prior authorization, step therapy) on products with capped out-of-pocket costs, and ensure insulin rebates are passed on to plan sponsors.
It would also promote competition and keep costs low by improving the timeliness of FDA regulatory barriers and allowing Medicare Part D plans to include biosimilar drugs upon market entry.
An overwhelming majority of Americans support placing a $35-per-month limit on the out-of-pocket costs for insulin.
Britt said the innovative strategies “would help support access to insulin for diabetic Alabamians, keeping them healthy so they do not require more costly treatments and extensive medical care down the road.”
“I’ll continue to fight to ensure that every Alabamian, no matter their zip code, can live the American Dream,” she said.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
