senate resolution no.170
Senator VanderWall offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Diabetes affects nearly 37.3 million people in the United States, and, as of 2020, an estimated 12.3 percent of Michigan residents over one million people - reported being diagnosed with diabetes. People who live with diabetes are subject to increased medical costs, negative health risks such as shortened lifespans, and a host of other consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5 to 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes, which requires daily insulin to survive; and
Whereas, The provision of insulin is crucial for the 5 to 10 percent of people with type 1 diabetes, and people with type 2 diabetes may also rely on insulin to manage their condition. Many cannot afford the rapidly increasing costs of insulin, causing them to skip or ration their medication, which leads to further health consequences. Michigan citizens are often forced to choose between medication and other costs; and
Whereas, Diabetes is an expensive condition, and the high and increasing cost of insulin is putting financial, emotional, and physical stress on many Michigan residents. In 2018, the average price of a single vial of insulin was $98.70, which results in costs of up to $300 per month for those who need just two or three vials. For those who need more than three vials or take multiple forms of insulin, that monthly cost can easily double. Also, injectable devices with mixed insulin can cost upwards of $700 for just five pens. The creation of generic and biosimilar insulin has helped reduce the price, but some are not able to use these options and must still use traditional, more expensive insulin. From 2014 to 2019, the average retail price for insulin increased by a drastic 54 percent. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in many losing their jobs, only exacerbated the financial burden of living with diabetes; and
Whereas, If we do not address the rising costs of insulin, we put vulnerable Michiganders at risk and endanger their long term health by increasing the possibilities of complications stemming from diabetes, as well as increase costs to the health care system. As leaders of Michigan, we must aggressively initiate action to make insulin more accessible and affordable for all who need it; and
Whereas, All insulin users, including those with both public or private insurance plans, deserve affordable and accessible life-saving drugs. To provide that access, the State of Michigan should launch further investigation and review of how we can use public and private partnerships to acquire insulin in bulk at lower prices or produce insulin. This investigation should include the development of a strategic plan on how the State can manufacture and distribute insulin; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Governor of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and other executive departments to take action to make insulin more accessible and affordable; and be it further