Collins-backed insulin price cap advances in GOP-led committee

The Republican-led Senate Health Committee voted 17-5 to advance the INSULIN Act, which would cap private-insurance insulin costs at $35 per month, with six Republicans joining Democrats in support and chair Bill Cassidy opposing. A Baldwin amendment to include uninsured patients was added and then stripped. While a House companion would be needed for passage, the measure would create the first nationwide cap on private-plan out-of-pocket costs for a non-preventive drug; however, the real impact may be limited since many insurers already cap at $35 and Medicare already has a $35 cap.