State lawmakers have killed a proposed bill that would have capped insulin prices at $35 for Tennesseans who are not covered by the Medicare cap.
The bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator London Lamar, of Memphis, and Democratic Representative Justin Jones, of Nashville, “As introduced, caps the total amount that a health insurance carrier can require a covered patient with diabetes to pay for a 30-day supply of insulin at no more than $35; caps the total price that a person who supplies prescription insulin drugs into or within this state for use by a patient with diabetes can charge for a 30-day supply of insulin at no more than $35.”
The bill died in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee for lack of a second motion.
According to Senator Lamar, the insulin cap bill would have helped around 900,000 Tennesseans.
According to the American Diabetes Association, “25 states and the District of Columbia have capped insulin copayments for state-regulated commercial health insurance plans.” While the insulin cap amounts and what is covered vary, at least two states, Connecticut and Texas have capped insulin prices at $25 for a 30-day supply.