LANSING, Mich., March 13, 2023 — State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Township) recently introduced a bill to cap the co-pay on insulin at $50.
“House Democrats have fought for years to bring down the price of insulin,” Conlin said. “Finally, we have an opportunity to ensure this lifesaving medication is made available at an affordable price.”
Nearly 1 in 10 Michiganders has diabetes, and nearly 3,000 people die from diabetes-related complications in Michigan every year. Since the drastic increase in the price of insulin, many adults with diabetes have resorted to engaging in strategies to reduce their medical expenses, including rationing their medication, a potentially lethal practice.
At the federal level, provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act would cap the co-pay on insulin for those with Medicare at $35 a month, although many have argued that this co-pay amount should be applied across the board for all people. Rep. Conlin indicated her openness to lowering co-pays further, to $35, should President Biden be able to achieve his proposed goal.
“I applaud President Biden’s leadership on increasing insulin affordability,” Conlin said. “I fully support his efforts to lower the costs of insulin, and I will do all I can to make this necessary, lifesaving medication as affordable as possible for Michigan diabetics.”