Yesterday, Maryland Governor Lawrence (Larry) Hogan, Jr. signed Senate Bill 353 and House Bill 1397 – a critical action that will help save lives and reduce the burden of insulin costs for people living with diabetes in Maryland. The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) applauds Governor Hogan for signing the legislation that will cap copayments for insulin at $30 per 30-day supply for those on state-regulated commercial health insurance plans. Improving insulin affordability helps people with diabetes to manage the disease, stay healthy, and reduce their risk for dangerous complications.
Taking less than the prescribed amount of insulin can lead to uncontrolled glucose levels causing complications and damage to different parts of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, or heart. Without enough insulin, a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis may occur, and if left untreated, can become fatal. While not every person is rationing their insulin, the cost of insulin can still be overwhelming and burdensome. A person living with diabetes may not be able to pay their rent or their mortgage due to the rising cost of insulin or afford groceries and other medications they require. More than 565,000 adults have been diagnosed with diabetes in Maryland, and 36,000 more are diagnosed each year.
“Maryland has been a national leader in making prescription drugs more accessible and affordable to its residents. This legislation is an example of our commitment to protect Marylanders from skyrocketing drug costs,” said Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk who led the efforts for a favorable passage in the Maryland House of Delegates.
“I have cared for patients with diabetes as a healthcare provider, and I know the tremendous impact that this cap will have on making insulin more affordable for patients across the state,” stated Maryland Senator Clarence Lam, MD, who championed the legislation through the Senate. “As a physician, I have seen patients who struggle with the choice of putting food on their tables or paying for the lifesaving drugs they need. Even a one-time instance of rationing their healthcare can have serious consequences.”
For more information about Maryland’s new law, please contact the Maryland Insurance Administration at (410) 468-2258.
The ADA continues to be a leader in federal and state efforts to ensure that insulin is affordable and accessible for all people who need this life-sustaining medication.
If you are struggling to pay for insulin or know someone who is, the ADA has resources to help—for more information, visit InsulinHelp.org.
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 81 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 133 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).
