SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5546
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health & Long Term Care, January 24, 2022
Title: An act relating to insulin affordability.
Brief Description: Concerning insulin affordability.
Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Van De Wege, Cleveland, Conway, Frockt, Hasegawa, Hunt, Lovick, Nguyen, Pedersen, Randall, Stanford and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/19/22, 1/24/22 [DPS-WM, DNP, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Limits out-of-pocket expenses for a 30-day supply of insulin to $35.

 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5546 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair; Muzzall, Ranking Member; Conway, Holy, Keiser, Randall, Robinson and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Padden.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Rivers and Sefzik.
Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)
Background:

In 2020, the Legislature directed health plans, beginning January 1, 2021, to limit an enrollee's out-of-pocket expenses for insulin to $100 for a 30-day supply.  The out-of-pocket limit is set to expire on January 1, 2023.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

Beginning January 1, 2023, health plans must cap the total amount an enrollee is required to pay for a covered insulin drug at an amount not to exceed $35 per 30-day supply.  This limit expires on January 1, 2024.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

Removes changes to the total cost of insulin work group.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO:  Insulin needs to remain affordable for those who need it.  Emergency access to insulin is an important component of the bill and can be the difference between life and death.  Copays are not the only expense for a person with diabetes and other related medical expenses are also expensive.  The copay cap would align with Medicare Part D.
 
OTHER:  Health plans are not opposed to extending cap but are concerned about lowering the amount.  Health plans are not opposed to re-balancing the work group membership.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor; Cindi Laws, Health Care for All Washington; Elyette Weinstein, retired; Jennifer Perkins; Madison Johnson, #insulin4all; Laura Keller, American Diabetes Association; Marcee Stone-Vekich.
OTHER: Chris Bandoli, Association of WA Healthcare Plans.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.