ND lawmakers discuss bill to cap insulin costs

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers are hearing more testimony about a bill that would reduce the cost of insulin and related medical devices.

The bill was written by North Dakota Public Employee Retirement System and would cap the out-of-pocket cost of a 30-day supply of insulin to $25 per pharmacy or distributor.

Insulin-related medical supplies would also see a similar cap on out-of-pocket costs.

The expected cost to policy holders would increase about 30 cents to one dollar a month.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is opposed to the bill.

“We oppose the commercial application of the insulin cap because it’s a bit of a false promise, with caps already in place for the majority of people the policy is aimed towards,” said Megan Ruby for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota. “Blue Cross already has a $5 insulin copay cap for our fully-insured members. We instituted this cap in 2017, when we saw pharmaceutical companies gouging individuals with their life-saving drugs.”

A similar bill was introduced in the senate. That bill was amended so that the cap would only apply to state employees.