Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Bill to cap insulin at $35 passes state senate with bipartisan support

Insulín in vials.
Mr Hyde
/
Czech Wikipedia
The cost of insulin can be a hinderance to many people with diabetes

Montanans could see copay costs for insulin capped at $35 per month with a bill that has passed with bipartisan support in the state Senate.

Republican Senator Jason Small from Busby brought the bill to address rising insulin prices and prevent further increases. According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, which supports the bill, about 9% of Montana adults have diabetes, and the disease was the 8th leading cause of death in the state in 2021.

In its first hearing, the bill received widespread support from individuals and healthcare organizations and had no opponents. The cap would apply to all insurance groups, and go into effect January of next year.

Ellis Juhlin is MTPR's Rocky Mountain Front reporter. Ellis previously worked as a science reporter at Utah Public Radio and a reporter at Yellowstone Public Radio. She has a Master's Degree in Ecology from Utah State University. She's an average birder and wants you to keep your cat indoors. She has two dogs, one of which is afraid of birds.

ellis.juhlin@mso.umt.edu
406-272-2568
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information