By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for people on private insurance, a measure that has already cleared a health committee with bipartisan support.
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Congress approved a similar $35 cap for Medicare recipients in 2022. The new legislation would extend that limit to those covered by private insurance plans.
Some lawmakers said the bill still needs more work to address technical concerns before it can advance further.
More than 650,000 people in Arizona have diabetes, making the proposed cap relevant to a large portion of the state’s population. A vial of insulin can cost some patients hundreds of dollars per month.
Christine Fallabel, Managing Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy at the American Diabetes Association, said the cap is needed for people who are forced to choose between basic necessities and their medication.
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“In reality, people are choosing between paying their rent and filling their insulin — they’ll pay their groceries or pick up their insulin this month,” Fallabel said. “One in six people ration their insulin, so they’re taking less than they need to be healthy. And they’re just living with higher blood sugar levels, which is really dangerous to their health.”
The State of Arizona has launched a website to help residents find affordable prescription options: azdhs.gov/azrx
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