A New Bill Would Make Insulin Significantly Cheaper for Iowans

As of 2023, Iowa has a population of approximately 3.1 million people. Nearly 250,000 of them have diabetes. Most of them rely on insulin to stay healthy, let alone alive, but incur significant costs when trying to obtain the medicine. A new bill going through the Iowa legislature is looking to change that.

Republican State Senator Carrie Koelker of Dubuque County is spearheading a piece of legislation that looks to ease that financial burden. The bill would create a price cap of $75/month for Iowans on state-regulated insurance plans. 25 states and Washington D.C. have insulin price caps. Iowa currently does not.

Per KCRG, Paige Yontz, who works with the AARP of Iowa, says the bill could impact 500,000 Iowans, and is needed as Iowa's population ages rapidly:

Diabetes is not getting any less prevalent in Iowa. It’s certainly growing, and as our population continues to age we’re likely to see more people continue to receive those diagnoses - Paige Yontz, per KCRG

People who can't afford their insulin may resort to rationing it, Yontz added, which has an impact on their long-term health. A person with no choice but to ration their insulin could result in diabetic foot pain, diabetic eyes, and a swath of other negative implications on their overall health.

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On the other side of the aisle, Democratic State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott of West Des Moines is skeptical that the bill could have negative impacts on some Iowans:

I am interested to learn more about are there other consumers, other Iowans who might not be positively impacted by this bill. you know, are there folks who are underinsured, not insured? Who are those folks that are needing help? - Sarah Trone Garriott, per KCRG

Koelker has tried but failed to get the bill passed for the last six years. Last week, this current iteration of the bill made it out of committee last week and is eligible for debate on the Iowa Senate floor, indicating a positive step forward.

If you are someone who is struggling to pay for insulin, you can find information on affordable insulin here. Those on Medicare are aided by the Inflation Reduction Act, which caps the cost of insulin at $35 a month. Read more about the bill that could make insulin significantly cheaper for Iowans on KRCG's website.