Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Cap Cost of Insulin at $35 for all Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the bipartisan INSULIN Act to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35, or 25% of the list price per month, for all Americans with diabetes. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Reps. Diana Degette (CO-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Angie Craig (MN-02).

"As a doctor with Type 1 diabetes who depends on insulin, I understand the immediate need to bring down the cost of insulin - especially at a time when so many Americans are already struggling with high costs," said Congresswoman Schrier. "I am proud to introduce this groundbreaking bipartisan legislation that will cap the price of insulin for all Americans and make a meaningful difference in the lives and the health of everyone in our districts."

Background: Currently, insulin costs are capped at $35 per month for people on Medicare, and nearly 30 states have separate price caps for state-regulated and private plans. The INSULIN Act would limit out-of-pocket costs for patients with diabetes by ensuring that group and individual market health plans waive any deductible and limit cost-sharing to no more than $35 or 25% of list price per month for at least one insulin of each type and dosage form.

The bipartisan bill would also:

• Require a study report on uninsured Americans who use insulin, including where they live, why they're uninsured, and demographic and income data.
• Create a new expedited FDA approval pathway to get biosimilar insulin to market more quickly.
• Establish an insulin resource center and hotline to connect uninsured diabetes patients with diabetes resources and programs.

"Insulin insecurity is not a partisan issue. It's a life-or-death issue," said Rep. DeGette. "I have fought for years to lower the price of insulin for the over 40 million Americans living with diabetes. I have met with too many Coloradans who have shared their painful experience of rationing their insulin so they could afford groceries. No one in America should be forced to choose between their life-saving medication or feeding their families."

"As a doctor, I have spent my career fighting for patients, and I've watched too many of them ration a hundred-year-old medicine because the price tag made it impossible to afford. That's not right, and it never should have taken this long to fix. I'm proud to lead this effort in the House, and I won't stop until every American with diabetes can afford the insulin that keeps them alive," said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D.

"Diabetes stole the lives of 100,000 Americans last year. Tens of millions of Americans are living with diabetes, and for many, insulin is a matter of life and death," said Rep. Bresnahan. "No American should have to choose between paying the bills and getting the insulin they need, or risk their life rationing the doses they have left. This legislation isn't just a Band-Aid on the problem. It delivers immediate relief for patients and reforms that will increase competition and drive down prices over the long term. Lowering the cost of insulin puts money back where it belongs: in the pockets of working families who need every dollar they earn. Middlemen and big corporations shouldn't be making extra cash off the backs of working people who rely on insulin to survive."

This bill has broad support among diabetes advocates.

"The American Diabetes Association (ADA) appreciates and applauds the House's bipartisan introduction of the INSULIN Act, which would limit out-of-pocket insulin costs for patients at $35 a month," said Lisa Murdock, Chief Advocacy Officer of ADA. "A recent survey, commissioned by ADA, showed that 40% of insulin users currently pay $150 each month, and there is widespread bipartisan support across the U.S. for making insulin affordable. The INSULIN Act would ensure no one has to choose between paying for insulin and other necessities. This bill puts people first and is a commonsense way to lower health care costs for Americans depending on insulin to live."

"For the millions of Americans who rely on insulin every day, no one should have to choose between paying for their medication and meeting other basic needs," said Dr. Robert Lash, Chief Medical Officer with the Endocrine Society. "The Endocrine Society applauds Representatives DeGette, Schrier, Miller-Meeks, Bresnahan, and Craig for introducing the INSULIN Act, which would help make insulin more affordable for people with private insurance while connecting uninsured patients to resources that can help them access this lifesaving medication. This bipartisan legislation is an important step toward ensuring that all people who need insulin can obtain it and stay healthy."

"The Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) and Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) applaud and thank Representatives DeGette, Miller-Meeks, Schrier, and Bresnahan for introducing the INSULIN Act of 2026," said George Huntley, CEO. "This legislation will greatly improve access to affordable insulins for people living with diabetes, and it is time that the $35 monthly insulin co-pay cap apply to everyone as it does to Medicare beneficiaries today. We look forward to working to get this legislation across the finish line before the end of the 119th Congress."

"For the more than 1.5 million Americans with type one diabetes (T1D), insulin access is life-or-death," said Lynn Starr, Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer. "By capping out-of-pocket cost at $35, the INSULIN Act ensures that people have dependable, affordable access to the insulin they require to live. We applaud Representatives DeGette, Miller-Meeks, Schrier, Bresnahan, and Craig for introducing the House INSULIN Act and urge their colleagues to stand with them on the side of all those living with T1D. While there is still more work to be done, we are hopeful that, together with the Senate, we will finally have the access to affordable insulin the entire T1D community deserves and depends on."

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