In 2020 the Total Cost of Insulin Work Group (Work Group) was established to review and design strategies to reduce the cost of­ and total expenditures on insulin in the state.  The Work Group consists of the insurance commissioner and a representative appointed by the Governor from each of the following organizations:

• the Prescription Drug Purchasing Consortium;
• the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission;
• an association representing independent pharmacies;
• an association representing chain pharmacies;
• each health carrier offering at least one health plan in a commercial market in the state;
• each health carrier offering at least one health plan to state or public school employees in the state;
• an association representing health carriers;
• the Public Employees' Benefits Board or the School Employees' Benefits Board;
• the Health Care Authority (HCA);
• a pharmacy benefit manager that contracts with state purchasers;
• a drug distributor or wholesaler that distributes or sells insulin in the state;
• a state agency that purchases health care services and drugs for a selected population;
• the Attorney General's Office; and
• an organization representing diabetes patients who are living with diabetes.

The Work Group was required to submit a preliminary report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2020, and to submit a final report by July 1, 2021.  The Work Group expires on December 1, 2022.

On July 1, 2021, the HCA submitted a report to the Legislature stating that the Work Group was unable to convene before funding for the Work Group lapsed on June 30, 2021.

The membership of the Total Cost of Insulin Work Group (Work Group) is modified.  Members representing the following entities are removed from the Work Group:  an association representing chain pharmacies; each health carrier offering at least one health plan in a commercial market in the state; and each health carrier offering at least one health plan to state or public school employees in the state.  The representative from a pharmacy benefit manager that contracts with state purchasers is replaced with a representative from an association representing pharmacy benefit managers.  Four members of the public living with diabetes who are appointed by the Governor are added to the Work Group membership.

In addition to designing strategies to reduce the cost of insulin, the Work Group is required to review and design strategies to provide a once yearly 30-day supply of insulin to individuals on an emergency basis.

The Work Group must submit a preliminary report to the Governor and Legislature detailing strategies to reduce the cost of insulin by December 1, 2022.  The Work Group must submit the final report by July 1, 2023.  The Work Group expires on December 1, 2024.