RI Senate Passes Bill Limiting Co-Pays For Diabetes Supplies

RHODE ISLAND — The Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday passed a bill limiting the price of co-pays for diabetes equipment and supplies.

The bill, 2022-S 2696A, sets a cap on the price of equipment to $25 for a 30-day supply, or per item intended to last longer than 30 days. It comes a year after Gov. Dan McKee signed a law capping insulin co-pays at $40 a month.

"Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that unfortunately affects many people, including older or disabled people who are among those least able to afford the expenses involved in treating it," said bill sponsor Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Woonsocket). "The result is that many people ration or try to do without testing or treatment to save money, with grave risk to their health and safety. Insurance should be keeping their costs reasonable to encourage proper treatment, which is obviously much safer as well as being more cost-effective in the long run."

The bill applies to private insurers, health maintenance organizations, nonprofit hospital service or medical service corporations and the state employee health insurance plans.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Hopkinton), is sponsoring a companion bill.