Bipartisan Bill Aims to Cap Insulin Costs at $35 Per Month

The INSULIN Act would provide more affordable insulin to Americans with private insurance and the uninsured.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:35pm

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A bipartisan group of senators has introduced the INSULIN Act, a bill that would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Americans with private insurance plans. The bill would also start a pilot program to provide more affordable insulin to uninsured Americans in 10 states. This is the latest effort by lawmakers of both parties to rein in the high cost of insulin, a vital drug for millions of people with diabetes.

Why it matters

The high cost of insulin has been a major burden for many Americans with diabetes, forcing some to ration their doses or make difficult financial tradeoffs to afford the lifesaving medication. This bipartisan bill aims to provide relief by capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding access to affordable insulin, especially for young adults and the uninsured who have struggled the most with rising prices.

The details

The INSULIN Act would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Americans with private insurance plans. It would also start a pilot program to provide more affordable insulin to uninsured Americans in 10 states. This builds on a 2022 law that capped insulin costs at $35 per month for older adults on Medicare. However, the new bill faces hurdles, including concerns about the cost and competing congressional priorities. Previous attempts to pass similar legislation have also failed, but advocates remain hopeful that this bipartisan effort can succeed.

  • The INSULIN Act was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators last week.
  • In 2022, the House passed a $35 monthly insulin cap that ultimately did not pass the Senate.
  • The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 successfully capped insulin costs at $35 per month for older adults on Medicare.

The players

Jeanne Shaheen

Democratic senator from Maine and co-sponsor of the INSULIN Act.

Raphael Warnock

Democratic senator from Georgia and co-sponsor of the INSULIN Act.

Susan Collins

Republican senator from Maine and co-sponsor of the INSULIN Act.

John Kennedy

Republican senator from Louisiana and co-sponsor of the INSULIN Act.

Marlee Brandon

Mother of a 2-year-old with Type 1 diabetes who is concerned about the high cost of insulin.

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What they’re saying

“'One day, Bain will be an adult, and he won't be able to be on our insurance anymore. I feel like a lot of people don't realize how much and how expensive it is.'”

— Marlee Brandon, Mother of a 2-year-old with Type 1 diabetes

“'No one should struggle to afford their insulin'”

— Oliver Bogillot, Head of general medicines for North America at Sanofi

“'We look forward to working with policymakers to ensure middlemen don't stand between patients and their medicines'”

— Chanse Jones, Spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

What’s next

The INSULIN Act must still navigate the legislative process and overcome concerns about the cost and competing priorities in Congress. If passed, the pilot program to provide affordable insulin to the uninsured would need to be implemented in 10 states.

The takeaway

The bipartisan INSULIN Act represents a renewed effort to address the high cost of insulin, a critical medication for millions of Americans with diabetes. While past attempts have faced challenges, this bill's bipartisan support and the recent success of insulin cost caps for Medicare beneficiaries provide hope that meaningful progress can be made to improve insulin affordability and access, especially for young adults and the uninsured.