Proposed bill would cap insulin at $35 for many Americans

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A bipartisan bill backed by Sen. Raphael Warnock could lower insulin costs for millions of Americans — including the more than 1 million Georgians living with diabetes.

The Life-Saving Insulin Act of 2026 would require private insurance companies to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 and would also aim to reduce costs for people who are uninsured, supporters said.

Health care workers who also live with Type 1 diabetes said the current list prices can be staggering.

“For the standard insulin analogs of Novolog, Humalog, you’re looking at upwards of $800 at list pricing,” said Morgan Mayle, a nurse practitioner.

Mayle said she often sees patients stretch or skip doses because they can’t afford their prescriptions.

“It’s very, very common when we’re on a tight budget or you’re living paycheck to paycheck and you’re trying to just get to the next day,” she said. “Most of the time that’s of course not feasible for good diabetes management.”

Mandi Roelandt, a paramedic who has Type 1 diabetes, said she has responded to emergency calls involving people who tried to make their insulin last longer.

“I’ve seen people that are rationing their insulin and they’re going into DKA, they’re getting kidney problems, they’re having other issues,” Roelandt said. “And with all of that, it’s not healthy for obvious reasons.”

In support of the legislation, Warnock noted insulin’s long history.

“This is a drug that was invented some one hundred years ago and the patent was sold for one dollar,” Warnock said.

In a statement, the senator said, “No one should be forced to put their health or life in danger because they can’t afford insulin or don’t know where to get it.”

The American Diabetes Association estimates people with diabetes account for $1 of every $4 spent on health care in the United States.

Mayle said the proposed cap would be felt far beyond Georgia.

“Oh, this would impact millions of Americans as a whole, not even just Georgians,” she said.

If passed, the bill would be expected to take effect at the start of 2027, potentially impacting more than 1 million Georgians living with diabetes.