FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Calling diabetes a health epidemic, Gov. Andy Beshear joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers Tuesday to push for a cap on out-of-pocket costs for many Kentuckians relying on insulin.
The bill has cleared a House committee and is awaiting action in the full House. It’s co-sponsored by more than 70 lawmakers. If it passes the House, it would advance to the Senate.
House Bill 12 would limit out-of-pocket costs at $100 per prescription for a 30-day insulin supply. That cap would apply to people with commercial health insurance plans.
About 500,000 Kentuckians are diagnosed with diabetes.
Some can’t afford insulin or ration supplies because of costs, the bill’s supporters said. Hardest-hit families pay more than $1,000 a month for supplies, they said.
Insulin is used to keep people’s blood sugar at safe levels.
“Insulin is not something diabetics take out of convenience,” Beshear said. “They take it just to stay alive.”
Rep. Patti Minter said access to insulin is a human right.
In the past 14 years, the price of insulin has skyrocketed by more than 550% when adjusted for inflation. Beshear denounced it as “price gouging” by insulin producers.
“When insulin is more affordable, more folks get the care they need to live a better life and to better manage this disease,” Beshear said.
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