States are moving to cap insulin prices, too

Nearly half of the states passed their insulin caps. More may join soon.

A new insulin price cap announced by a major domestic manufacturer made headlines recently, but efforts to lower the price of the life-saving drug are also underway in states.

at least a member of parliament 11 states – include Arizona, California and Missouri — introduced a bill earlier this year that would limit the monthly out-of-pocket costs for certain diabetics. While there appears to be some early momentum behind such an effort, it remains unclear how the measure will perform in this legislative season.

The bill is one of the uptrends that started in 2019. Colorado We became the first state to pass insulin caps. since then, 22 states and DC offal Exceeded cost limit about drugs ranging from $25 To $100 per 30 days. However, most of these restrictions apply only to state-regulated health plans, leaving gaps (more on that below).

insulin every day 7 million Americans Diabetics managing their blood sugar levels. drugs are generally $10 per vial But the list price of insulin has doubled, or even tripled, in the last decade. 2021 report From a bipartisan Senate investigator. Rising prices have led some patients to limit insulin, which can lead to fatal complications.

• The Montana senator said, “This is one of those issues that makes a lot of sense, and I’m asking myself why we didn’t address it sooner. Jason Small (R), major sponsor of invoice the cost of insulin $35 monthly in the state.

Illinois Senate Democrats:

Lowering the cost of insulin has emerged as a politically popular issue among legislators on both sides of the aisle after patient advocates began focusing on the issue a few years ago. Eight out of 11 states Where lawmakers proposed an insulin price cap this year, we have a Republican-controlled Congress, a Republican governor, or both.

• “The issue of prescription drug pricing … impacts all sorts of partisan gaps because it affects so many people,” said a Minnesota lawmaker. Michael Howard (D), primary sponsor invoice insulin cost $25/month For residents with state-regulated health insurance. “In particular, the issue of insulin affordability has risen to the forefront”

New trend alert: at least 5 stateslawmakers introduced legislation to further tighten drug cost-sharing limits. Governor of West Virginia Jim Justice signed (R) bipartisan bill pass legislation to lower state out-of-pocket limits from $100 To $35 30 days of insulin supplementation.

The new push is for states to cap $35 Insulin limits for Medicare recipients included in the Inflation Reduction Act that Congress passed last year, Lisa MurdochChief Advocacy Officer American Diabetes Association, told The Health 202.

Another idea that is gaining traction is to limit how much patients pay for devices and devices used to treat diabetes, such as blood glucose monitors, insulin pumps and syringes.legislators at least seven states This session containing Kansas, kentuckyand MassachusettsIf passed they would follow in the footsteps of connecticut, Delaware and DC

why it matters: Under health insurance, diabetics are $3,200 From out-of-pocket costs for medical supplies each year, according to April 2020 report from good rex, track US prescription drug prices. These costs are estimated to be even higher for the uninsured.

Reality check: State-level insulin limits are imposed by states, including health insurance plans for state employees, fully-insured plans typically offered by small employers, and some policies sold on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Applicable only to regulated plans. They generally exclude self-insured employers’ coverage (usually offered by large companies) and the uninsured. Medicaid beneficiaries are also usually not affected. Because they already pay little or nothing for insulin.

I’m not saying that Congress and the private sector cannot take action. Earlier this month, the three major U.S. insulin makers announced they were cutting list prices of some insulin products by up to 100%. 78 percent Under increasing pressure from policy makers and patients.

Now, state legislators are asking Congress to pass legislation that would take Medicare’s insulin caps a step further and extend financial relief to diabetics not covered by state-level limits. “We’re trying to do everything we can at the state level, but we need Congress to act,” Howard said.

Drug overdose antidote Narcan now available over the counter

of Food and Drug Administration Our colleagues who approved over-the-counter Narcan, paving the way for reversing opioid overdose and increasing access to nasal sprays David O’Vare report.

The decision was highly anticipated by proponents keen to increase accessibility to this drug, which does not require special training to administer.The FDA’s decision was made on the same day as the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorcas told a Senate panel that the record number of Americans dying from a fentanyl overdose is “the greatest challenge facing us as a country.”

But there are looming questions that may determine how easily Americans will be able to purchase over-the-counter Narkan, which is expected to be available by the end of summer. Price depends on pharmaceutical company Emergent biosolution It’s a set of sprays, and the company has yet to reveal how much it will charge.

It also depends on how willing retailers are to place them on store shelves within reach of consumers. A CVS representative told David that there are plans to make the drug available in more than 9,000 pharmacies nationwide. Walgreens said it plans to offer prescription-free Narcan “both in stores nationwide and online,” and that it is “already working with suppliers to bring this OTC drug to shelves.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Calif said:

From reporter’s note

Our colleague Dan Diamond sent us the following message.

Another White House covid rep leaves the team (mostly): Nahid Badelia, She, who has helped steer the White House’s global covid response, is stepping down from her full-time role this week but will continue to help the team through the end of the public health emergency in May, says Dan Scoops. .

“Dr. Nahid Bhadelia will continue to provide limited support to the White House COVID-19 response team during the downturn,” a government official wrote in an email to The Post.

badelia Boston University The latest official to be phased out of the White House as the team scales back its jobs is an infectious disease doctor. Efforts continued to address issues such as impacts and ensure vaccinations abroad.

“I took this job because I truly believe that pandemics tend to break us along known fault lines. I will Badelia told JAMA last year.

Republicans in Idaho seek to ban ‘abortion trafficking’ of minors traveling for procedures

The Idaho Senate is set to vote on a bill banning interstate travel for abortion by minors, making it the first state to ban what Republicans call “abortion trafficking.” approaching. Timothy Bella I am writing.

earlier this week, Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee The bill agreed to a full vote in the Republican-led House bill floor. This limits the ability of minors to travel for abortion without parental consent. This includes states where the procedure is legal. Under House Bill 242, A felony is brought against an adult who “arranges an abortion or obtains an abortion-inducing agent for the purpose of concealing an abortion from the parents or guardians of a pregnant, released minor” on behalf of a minor. may be

detail: The bill, which is expected to pass the Senate with some amendments, was approved by the House earlier this month.government brad little (R) will also be signing the bill that one of the bill’s sponsors is endorsing as the custody bill. The proposal has been criticized by Democrats, health professionals and abortion rights advocates, and while most young people facing unplanned pregnancies involve their parents in decision-making, it is always possible. I argue that it is not necessarily so.

• In a largely symbolic vote, the Senate passed a resolution National emergency declaration of new coronavirus, This is far less impactful than a public health emergency.Both are set to end on May 11, and he is the Senate Majority Leader. Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) told colleagues Biden would not veto the bill, Aji Paybara report.
• Today’s on-tap: House Democrats are Women’s Health Protection Act, which would establish federal rights to abortion. The bill also includes new provisions aimed at protecting the right to obtain abortions across state lines, as well as protections for those who help others obtain abortions.
• Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) return to the Senate During the week of April 17, after more than a month of inpatient treatment for clinical depression, The Post’s Liz Goodwin report.
• Kentucky Senator passed a drastic bill Limiting how doctors and schools treat transgender youth yesterdayoverturning the governor’s veto and powerful opposition by state medical associations, education officials, and parents of transgender children, our colleagues William Wang I am writing.

TikTok is addictive for many girls, especially those with depression (By Donna St. George l The Washington Post)

Green Beret Gunn changed military malpractice laws. His claim was still denied. (Ian Shapira | Washington Post)

Connecticut woman turns to Vermont to die on her own terms (Lola Fadulu | The New York Times)

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