In 2020 the Legislature established the Total Cost of Insulin Work Group (Work Group) 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 Work Group was required to submit a preliminary report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2020, and to submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature 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.
Modifications are made to the membership of the Work Group. Members representing the following entities are removed:
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 are added to the Work Group.
In addition to existing work, the Work Group must 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 detailing strategies to reduce the cost of insulin by December 1, 2022 and submit the final report to the Governor and Legislature by July 1, 2023. The Work Group expires on December 1, 2024.
If funding for the Work Group is not provided by June 30, 2022, this act is null and void.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: The price of insulin has not improved and this work group is still needed. The makeup of the work group is now more representative with the addition of patients.