Posted on March 2, 2020
H.B. 5175 Insurance Committee Testimony.
Last week, I cosponsored H.B. 5175 An Act Concerning Diabetes and High Deductible Health Plans. This bill will limit the cost of inulin to $50 and insulin supplies to $100, while also examining ways to aid low income diabetics with their medical costs.It is time for Connecticut to address the financial burrden and excessive medical costs the diabetic community faces.I encourage you to watch my testimony below
Posted by State Rep. Holly Cheeseman on Monday, March 2, 2020
Rep. Cheeseman Cosponsors H.B. 5175
HARTFORD – Three weeks into the 2020 legislative session, proposed legislation is beginning to make its way onto the House calendar for possible action. This week State Representative Holly Cheeseman (R-37) has co-sponsored H.B. No. 5175 An Act Concerning Diabetes and High Deductible Health Plans.
H.B. 5157 aims to lower the financial burden on diabetics and their families. This legislation will cap the cost of insulin to $50 and insulin supplies to $100 per month. Additionally, The Commissioner of Social Serves will be required to study and report the feasibility of creating an assistance fund for low-income diabetics, and licensed pharmacists will be required to dispense selected diabetic supplies without a prescription in certain circumstances.
“Lowering the price of Insulin not only saves lives but saves money for the state of Connecticut. This legislation will prevent diabetics from missing work or losing their jobs for losing a limb, requiring dialysis or other severe health complications,” said Rep. Cheeseman. “Affordable insulin allows for diabetics to continue working, providing for their families and contributing to Connecticut’s economy.
According to the American Diabetes Association, Americans with Diabetes pay 2.3x more in health care than those without diabetes. The rising cost of insulin coupled with diabetic equipment and physician expenses is financially crippling to diabetics. Diabetes affects rough 1 in 10 people across Connecticut, providing the much-needed financial relief to these families is long overdue.
Rep. Cheeseman continued, “For the price of insulin to skyrocket without any medical advancements or quality improvements is frightening. If we do not address the excessive rise in insulin costs now, we can only imagine how much worse it will get. Insulin is not an option for diabetics, this legislation will hopefully allow them to rest a little easier. ”
The members of the Insurance Committee will take all public comments made on H.B. 5157 into consideration. Rep. Cheeseman is hopeful the committee will act favorably on this legislation by March 19, 2020, in order to move the concept forward during the current legislative session.
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Rep. Cheeseman represents the 37h district of East Lyme and Salem.