State representative proposes bill for easier insulin access

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Governor Andy Beshear said that right now more than half-a-million people have diabetes in the Commonwealth, and access to affordable insulin can be a struggle.

News 40 spoke with one state representative who is working to make sure the life-saving medication is available to everyone who needs it.

State Representative Patti Minter is proposing a Bill Request 53 which would make access to insulin easier for Kentuckians.

Firstly, it would allow people who can’t afford their medicine to get an emergency supply of insulin from pharmacies for $25 or less. 

Secondly, it would expand access to insulin for people whose insurance was not covered under Beshear’s previous law that capped out-of-pocket insulin prices.

Minter said since insulin manufacturing costs only $6 per vial, prices should be more affordable. She’s seen the issue up close and personally with her own son. 

“He had onset of type one diabetes at 19-months-old.” Minter shared. “In the time between that moment and 16, which is how old he is now, I’ve watched the cost of insulin skyrocket. That’s not right.”

Bowling Green native Pam Lindsey has type two diabetes. Insurance challenges almost cost her her life-saving medication.

“After I changed jobs, my glucose levels were so outrageous that I would either plummet or I would just go sky high, waiting for that to be just to be approved,” said Lindsey. “And if my doctor hadn’t prescribed another medication it could have killed me.”

Lindsey said without insurance, her medicine cost was in the thousands. 

Minter said she hopes to see this bill request pass quickly to help people like Lindsey. 

“We’re hoping this is going to save lives, save people’s vision, their kidneys, their limbs, because people die from complications from diabetes,” said Minter.