Rep. Susie Lee Votes to Lower Cost of Insulin for Nevada Families

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) voted to pass landmark legislation to deliver lower insulin costs for Nevada families. By capping out-of-pocket expenses, the Affordable Insulin Now Act will ensure that Nevada families pay no more than $35 for a monthly supply of insulin.

"Prescription drug prices are out of control, and insulin is no exception," said Rep. Susie Lee. "For over a century, insulin has been used to treat diabetes. It's not new science. It's not a new innovation. There is no reason it should cost Nevada families as much as $350 a vial. That's why I was proud to vote to cap the price at $35 a month for the 37 million Americans living with diabetes. Now, I urge my Senate colleagues to swiftly pass this legislation to provide relief to American families."

Rising by 54 percent from 2014 to 2019, the cost of insulin has created an affordability crisis for the 10 percent of Nevadans living with diabetes. Americans currently face an average price of $98.70 for a unit of insulin — ten times higher than in other wealthy nations. One in four Americans who rely on insulin has been forced to ration doses due to high prices, a last resort with potentially fatal consequences.

The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require private health insurance plans to cover insulin, limiting monthly cost-sharing to $35 or 25 percent of a plan's negotiated price – whichever is lower. It also requires Medicare prescription drug plans to limit cost-sharing for insulin to $35 per month. This legislation comes as House Democrats continue working to advance comprehensive reform addressing the high cost of prescription drugs.

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