This week, legislation was introduced in the Senate to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for three of the state’s highest-volume, life-saving medical necessities. Historically, federal initiatives and other states have relied on price caps to address the rising costs; this proposal would be the first in the nation.
Key Points:
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- Senate Bills 1032-1034 were introduced by Senators Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Chedrick Greene (D-Saginaw).
- The plan would set a $0 cost mandate for epinephrine, an emergency, life-saving medication used for severe allergic reactions. The bill provides a universal benefit for every insured resident with no age limits or annual quotas.
- To address diabetic care, the proposal would set a $0 diabetes care ecosystem, eliminating cost-sharing for insulin and the vital diagnostic hardware needed to administer it.
- Lastly, the legislation eliminates out-of-pocket costs for prescription inhalers and forgoes insurance rules that stop asthma patients from getting backup inhalers.
The bills were referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee for consideration.
