What They’re Saying: Diabetes Advocates and Leaders Highlight Urgent Need for Congress to Pass Shaheen’s Bipartisan INSULIN Act to Lower Health Care Costs for Millions of Americans

(Washington, DC) – As U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) legislation to cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 continues to enjoy robust bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and the Senate, a broad coalition of diabetes advocates and leaders is underscoring the urgent need for Congress to pass the INSULIN Act to lower health care costs for Americans. Over 40 million Americans live with diabetes, and Shaheen’s legislation would directly impact lower the cost of life-saving insulin for millions across the country. What they’re saying: "People with type 1 diabetes don't get even a moment free from the disruptive and dangerous burdens of the disease. On top of that, they shouldn't have to shoulder the weight of unpredictable or exorbitant costs for insulin, the medicine that keeps them alive. Congress has a rare opportunity to help those in the T1D community struggling with insulin costs. With health care costs rising across the board, affordable insulin is a critical need, and one that Congress must stand up to provide,” said Lynn Starr, Breakthrough T1D’s Chief Global Advocacy Officer. “We are so grateful for the tremendous leadership of Senators Shaheen and Collins and Representatives DeGette, Miller-Meeks, Schrier and Bresnahan on this critical issue.” “Despite advancements in policy, insulin is still unaffordable for a significant number of Americans who rely on it to live. Furthermore, the high cost of insulin has led to 41 percent of households skipping or rationing doses exposing individuals to dangerous health outcomes. Americans report paying more for insulin in 2026 than they did in 2025 with 40 percent report paying more than $150. The ADA strongly supports the INSULIN Act, which limits monthly cost-sharing to $35, and would make insulin affordable for the 2.2 million Americans enrolled in federally regulated commercial plans outside state jurisdiction,” said Lisa Murdock, Chief Advocacy Officer of the American Diabetes Association ( ADA’s recent Access and Affordability Survey ) . “As a clinical pharmacist, I see firsthand that people with diabetes still struggle to pay for their insulin at the pharmacy counter. Those with commercial insurance are not protected in the same way that Medicare beneficiaries are. The INSULIN Act would cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin for people with diabetes on commercial insurance, making a direct impact for them and their families,” said Nancy D’Hondt, RPh, CDCES, FADCES, Board Chair of the Diabetes Leadership Council. "For many people with diabetes, insulin is not optional. Yet too many patients continue to face financial barriers that force difficult choices between paying for insulin and meeting other basic needs. As health care costs continue to rise, policies that improve affordability and access to insulin are vital to protecting patients' health. We urge Congress to pass the INSULIN Act to help ensure patients can afford this critical medication,” said Robert Lash, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the Endocrine Society. “The stakes for kidney health here are very high. Diabetes accounts for half of all new cases of kidney failure and an estimated 4 in 10 adults with diabetes have kidney disease,” said Jesse Roach, MD, Senior Vice President of Government Relations of the National Kidney Foundation. “The INSULIN Act is an important step toward making insulin more affordable and strengthening safeguards for people who rely on it. We urge Congress to pass it this year.” Shaheen’s bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act would cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for Americans with insurance, expanding the effective price cap for Americans on Medicare. Shaheen has championed efforts to lower insulin costs throughout her time in office, and the bill is closer than ever before to passing out of the U.S. Senate. In July, the INSULIN Act advanced out of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee , and in September companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives . Senator Shaheen has worked tirelessly to lower health care costs for Granite Staters and Americans. As co-chair of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Senator Shaheen has consistently pressed to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin and otherwise support patients and families facing diabetes. Polling released from the American Diabetes Association this summer found that 40% of respondents who rely on insulin report paying more than $150 per month for insulin, and 76% of respondents across political parties support a $35 limit on cost sharing for insulin. ###