Sen. Collins Proposes $35 Cap on Insulin Prices
TL/DR –
Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins has proposed a bipartisan bill to limit insulin out-of-pocket cost at $35 per month for private insurance holders. The INSULIN Act, co-sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen, John Kennedy, and Raphael Warnock, also includes provisions to prohibit insurers from requiring prior authorization for specific types of insulin and to grant $35 monthly out-of-pocket cost coverage for uninsured diabetes patients in ten states. Collins underscored the importance of the bill by highlighting that one-fifth of diabetes patients ration their insulin due to high costs, which can lead to significant health impacts.
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Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins has spearheaded a cross-party initiative aimed at lessening the financial burden on millions of Americans with Type 1 diabetes. The bipartisan proposal seeks to limit the out-of-pocket cost to $35 per month for insulin users with private insurance.
“Ensuring access to insulin is of paramount importance,” said Collins in an interview with News Center Maine. “Diabetes is a life-threatening disease, regardless of whether it’s Type 1, which necessitates insulin use for survival, or Type 2, where some patients need insulin and others can manage their condition through diet and exercise.”
The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act is backed by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, Republican Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana, and Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock from Georgia. A previous version of the bill was introduced in 2023 but failed to make progress.
“In response to our previous attempt to pass this legislation, some insulin manufacturers have voluntarily limited the cost, but we want to formalize this cap. We have also included provisions to prevent insurers from mandating prior approval for specific types of insulin covered under the cap,” Collins remarked.
In 2023, a $35 monthly cap on insulin was introduced for Medicare enrollees as part of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Although Biden has proposed a similar cap for those with private insurance, it was blocked by Republican senators from being included in the final bill. However, Collins, Kennedy, and four other Republican senators supported this measure.
“The growing number of constituents impacted by the high cost of insulin has intensified the demand for price caps,” said Collins. She and Shaheen have highlighted that one fifth of diabetes sufferers are forced to ration their insulin due to its prohibitive cost.
One specific case Collins cited concerned a young woman from Chelsea, Maine. This patient nearly died as a result of rationing her insulin intake, which led to hospitalization, accruing far greater costs than those of her prescribed insulin.
The proposed bill also includes a provision to allocate grants to 10 states, enabling them to pilot a program to cover the $35 monthly out-of-pocket cost for uninsured diabetes patients. “I am fully committed to ensuring that Maine is one of the states selected for this program,” Collins pledged.
The total estimated cost of the INSULIN Act is $100 million, according to Senator Collins.
Meanwhile, amidst a partial shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to demands for reforms to immigration enforcement from Democratic senators, Collins announced the imminent resolution of the stalemate. The funding gap for the Transportation Security Administration, a component of the DHS, has resulted in lengthy check-in queues at airports nationwide.
She explained that Senate Republicans, with President Trump’s “somewhat reluctant support,” are proposing to fully fund DHS immediately, including Customs and Border Patrol. However, only 50% of ICE – specifically sections that investigate drug smuggling, child exploitation, human trafficking, and counterfeit goods – would be funded.
“This would ensure 94% of the DHS is fully funded, including TSA agents, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the cybersecurity unit, all of which are crucially important during this time of military hostilities,” Collins added.
While senators continue to debate proposed reforms regarding ICE agents wearing masks and obtaining judicial warrants, Collins pointed out that the DHS appropriations bill already allocates funds for body cameras and de-escalation training. She also revealed, “We put in place both funding and authorization for the Inspector General of the department to conduct inspections of detention centers and report back to Congress.”
In relation to the ongoing conflict with Iran, Collins stated that the Trump administration’s potential request for $200 billion to fund the war has yet to be submitted to Congress.
“We still await the war supplemental request. The President appears optimistic that the conflict will soon be over. I hope it will be brief, successful, and soon come to a conclusion. One possible reason why we haven’t received a request is that it is contingent on the length of the conflict and the amount of munitions used. This situation has exposed a shortfall in our munitions stockpile that must be addressed.”
Collins, along with all but one Republican senator, once again rejected a resolution to essentially require congressional authorization for the continued use of military force against Iran.
“There are situations where it would be necessary. For instance, if the President deploys troops or if the conflict is protracted, then I believe his discretionary powers as commander-in-chief are exceeded,” stated Collins. “If we have troops on the ground, or if the President predicts a lengthy conflict, or we reach the 60-day mark, which is a provision of the War Powers Act, then I believe that congressional approval is required. It’s a delicate balance. I wouldn’t want to send a negative message to Iran at this critical juncture, especially if we’re on the cusp of concluding our military operations and securing significant concessions. I also don’t want to send the wrong signal to our troops.”
Collins, who is 73 years old, is running for a sixth six-year term this year and is unchallenged in the June Republican primary. Her Democratic rivals include two-term Maine Governor Janet Mills, aged 78, and 41-year-old oyster farmer and military veteran Graham Platner who previously chaired the planning board in his hometown of Sullivan.
You can see the full interview with Senator Collins below:
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