FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear and other lawmakers gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday to voice their support and push for the passage of House Bill 12.
The bill would help Kentuckians struggling with the skyrocketing insulin prices.
One out of every eight Kentuckians has been diagnosed with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association reports that insulin prices rose from 45% from 2014 to 2017.
"But insulin is not an option, you must have it to live. The choice becomes what to skimp on," said Sarah Ferguson of Insulin for All. "Whether to pay the rent or the electric bill, or even how little insulin you could possibly get by on, that costs $6 to produce but costs $300 a vial."
To alleviate the burden, lawmakers stood alongside each other today, pushing for the passage of House Bill 12, which would cap insulin prices at $100 per 30 day supply.
"Something more must be done to help those suffering from diabetes so that they can afford a life saving medication that they require," Beshear said.
State Reps. Danny Bentley, a Republican, and Patti Minter, a Democrat, are cosponsoring the bill. House Bill 12 would increase premiums for health benefits, excluding Medicaid and state employee plans, from 7 cents to 24 cents per member, per month.
