WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia has signed on as a co‑sponsor of bipartisan legislation that would cap monthly out‑of‑pocket insulin costs at $35, but the bill has not yet moved forward in Congress.
Capito announced her support for the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act, which would limit insulin costs for Americans with private or employer‑sponsored insurance and create a pilot program to extend the same price to uninsured patients. The measure is led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Susan Collins of Maine.
“For years, West Virginia has been deeply impacted by diabetes and the rising cost of insulin,” Capito said. “By limiting out‑of‑pocket insulin costs for individuals with private or employer‑sponsored insurance, we can bring immediate financial relief to millions of Americans — including many West Virginians.”
The bill aims to address high list prices by requiring health plans to waive deductibles and cap cost‑sharing at $35 per month for at least one insulin of each type and dosage form. It would also require pharmacy benefit managers to pass 100% of insulin rebates and discounts to plan sponsors, a move supporters say would help reduce premiums and discourage inflated list prices.
The legislation promotes generic and biosimilar competition and establishes a pilot program in 10 states to identify uninsured diabetes patients and provide them insulin at the $35 monthly rate. It also creates an insulin resource center and hotline to help uninsured individuals access available programs.
Despite bipartisan backing, the INSULIN Act remains in committee and has not advanced to a Senate vote.
