Scanlon: Bills To Cap Insulin Cost 'One Step Closer' To Law

GUILFORD, CT — Legislation introduced by State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) capping the cost of insulin at $50 a month have been referred out of the Insurance and Real Estate committee today with bipartisan support.

If measures in House Bill 5175 and Senate Bill 1 become law, Connecticut will join Colorado and Illinois as the third state to cap the cost of insulin and would have the lowest cap in the nation, Scanlon's office said. The other two states cap the cost at $100 a month.

"Today's vote gets us one step closer to making sure that no one in Connecticut ever has to worry about being able to afford the insulin they need to survive again," Scanlon said in a press release.

Scanlon said stories from constituents inspired him and Insurance and Real Estate co-chair Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) to introduce the bill and testimony at last week's public hearing on the bill underscored the impact this legislation will have on residents.

"The stories I've heard are just heartbreaking," Scanlon said. "Whether it's a senior rationing their insulin because they can't afford it or the young man who said he pays more for insulin each year than on his tuition to one of our state universities, it's clear from what we've heard that we need to act and I'm glad we are."

House Bill 5175 and Senate Bill 1 now head to the floor of the General Assembly for debate.