A new insulin law goes into effect today, capping insulin co-pays at $30 per month, regardless of the quantity or type of insulin needed to fill the insured patient’s prescription.
The cap applies to people with state-regulated health care plans or plans purchased on the marketplace exchange, state employees and people under group plans, the governor’s office said when the bill was signed.
In addition to capping the price of insulin, House Bill 95 also requires health care benefit plans to provide the needed equipment, supplies and outpatient training and education to help diabetics stay healthy, and forbids any reductions from this coverage by others involved in coverage.
Prior to Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature in March, HB 95 unanimously passed the Kentucky House and Senate. More than half a million Kentuckians have diabetes, and the state has the seventh-highest of diabetes in the U.S.
“Health care is a human right,” Beshear said at the time. “Capping the cost of insulin was the right thing to do to support every Kentuckian who has had to risk their own life or be afraid of permanently damaging their health just because they could not afford insulin. Today, they no longer have to live in fear – now this lifesaving medicine is affordable.”
The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Danny Bentley, R-Russel and Rep. Patti Minter, D-Bowling Green. Minter’s son lives with Type 1 diabetes.
Bentley is also a Type 1 diabetic, and he noted the price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013.
“I understand firsthand how scary it can be when you can’t afford your medication,” he said. “We need to ensure those who need this life-saving medication can always access it. This bill is meant to keep people healthy, keep people productive and decrease the cost of complications related to diabetes.”
