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Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted for landmark legislation to deliver lower insulin costs for Virginia families. By capping out-of-pocket expenses, the Affordable Insulin Now Act will ensure that Virginians pay no more than $35 for a monthly supply of insulin.

“No one in America should have to sacrifice the care they need because they can't afford the costs,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “I've heard too many stories of people forced to ration their insulin or switch to less effective medication, and their health suffers for it – sometimes tragically. Today, I'm proud to take action on this issue and cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month, helping families save up to hundreds of dollars on average each year.”

The cost of insulin, which rose by 54 percent from 2014 to 2019, has created an affordability crisis for the 9.6 percent of Virginians living with diabetes. Americans currently face an average price of $98.70 for a unit of insulin — ten times higher than in other wealthy nations. One in four Americans who rely on insulin has been forced to ration doses due to high prices, a last resort with potentially fatal consequences.

The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require private health insurance plans to cover insulin, limiting monthly cost-sharing to $35 or 25 percent of a plan’s negotiated price – whichever is lower. It also requires Medicare prescription drug plans to limit cost-sharing for insulin to $35 per month. This legislation comes as House Democrats continue working to advance comprehensive reform addressing the high cost of prescription drugs.

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