SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5729
As Passed Senate, February 28, 2023
Title: An act relating to removing the expiration date on the cost-sharing cap for insulin.
Brief Description: Removing the expiration date on the cost-sharing cap for insulin.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Cleveland, Hasegawa, Hunt, Kuderer, Nguyen, Shewmake, Stanford, Valdez and Wilson, C.).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 2/14/23, 2/16/23 [DPS, w/oRec].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/28/23, 47-0.
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Removes the expiration date on the $35 out-of-pocket limit for a 30-day supply of insulin.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5729 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Rivers, Ranking Member; Muzzall, Assistant Ranking Member; Conway, Dhingra, Holy, Randall and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Padden.
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 until January 1, 2023. In 2022, the Legislature amended the statute to reduce the limit on out-of-pocket expenses for a 30-day supply of insulin to $35 until January 1, 2024.
Summary of First Substitute Bill:

The expiration date limiting out-of-pocket expenses to $35 for a 30-day supply of insulin is removed. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This is necessary because other alternatives to lower the cost of insulin are still not available. An extension is needed to give more time to work on solutions. The bill should be extended to cover insulin completely for those under 21. This will allow people to continue to afford their insulin.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor; Carissa Kemp, American Diabetes Association; Kathryn Lewandowsky; Matthew Hepner, east wenatchee city council.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.