A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to manage the costs of insulin for many Americans. It requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to provide coverage for selected insulin products without a deductible. These plans must limit cost-sharing for a 30-day supply to $35 or 25 percent of the negotiated price, whichever is less. Additionally, the bill creates a program to help uninsured individuals access insulin. Through this program, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will pay qualifying healthcare providers and pharmacies to help bridge the cost gap for those without coverage.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill significantly lowers the cost of insulin for those with insurance and provides a subsidy program for the uninsured.
- Scored +8
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?
The bill mandates that cost-sharing for selected insulin products be capped at $35 or 25 percent of the negotiated price.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill establishes a program to help uninsured individuals access discounted insulin products.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill notes that it may result in costs to the Federal Government that require subsequent legislation to offset.
- Scored -1
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill acknowledges that the costs to the Federal Government may require future legislation to offset.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Insured People: For plan years starting January 1, 2027, insurance plans must cover selected insulin products without applying a deductible and must limit cost-sharing to $35 or 25 percent of the negotiated price per 30-day supply. (Section 2)
-
Coverage for Catastrophic Plans: Individuals with catastrophic health plans will receive coverage for selected insulin products before they hit their annual out-of-pocket limit. (Section 2(c))
-
Support for Uninsured Individuals: The bill establishes a program where the Secretary of Health and Human Services pays qualifying entities to provide discounted insulin to uninsured people. (Section 3(a))
-
Financial Relief for Providers and Pharmacies: Qualifying entities that agree not to hold uninsured individuals liable for the full cost of insulin will be reimbursed by the Secretary for the difference between the out-of-pocket cost and $35. (Section 3(b))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Higher Costs for Out-of-Network Services: Insurance plans are not required to provide these specific benefits for insulin delivered by an out-of-network provider, and they are allowed to charge higher cost-sharing for those services. (Section 2(c))
-
Limited Selection of Products: The cost-sharing requirements only apply to "selected insulin products," which are chosen by the group health plan or health insurance issuer. (Section 2(b)(1))
-
Potential Costs to the Government: Congress notes that the Act may result in costs to the Federal Government that may require subsequent legislation to offset. (Section 4)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill significantly lowers the cost of insulin for those with insurance and provides a subsidy program for the uninsured. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill reduces out-of-pocket costs for insulin for those covered under group health plans. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides cost-sharing relief for insulin under various health plans, which benefits seniors on those plans. Would high-income households be better off under this? — While the bill provides cost relief, its primary benefits are directed toward lower and middle-income accessibility.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower the price of prescription medicines? — The bill mandates that cost-sharing for selected insulin products be capped at $35 or 25 percent of the negotiated price. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes a program to help uninsured individuals access discounted insulin products. Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — The bill amends the Affordable Care Act to include specific cost-sharing requirements for selected insulin products.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill reduces out-of-pocket medical costs for insulin, which can alleviate financial burdens on low-income families.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides reimbursement to qualifying pharmacies for the difference in cost when providing insulin to the uninsured. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill acknowledges that the costs to the Federal Government may require future legislation to offset. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill notes that it may result in costs to the Federal Government that require subsequent legislation to offset.
- 5/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate