# Plain Language Summary: Insulin Access for All Act of 2021

This bill eliminates out-of-pocket costs for insulin and insulin injection supplies for people covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Right now, many people with diabetes have to pay copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance when they pick up their insulin prescriptions—costs that can add up quickly since people often need insulin multiple times per month. This bill says that starting January 1, 2022, Medicare and Medicaid would cover insulin and the needles or other supplies needed to inject it with zero cost to the patient.

The impact is straightforward: if you're on Medicare or Medicaid and have diabetes, you'd no longer pay anything out of your pocket for insulin. This matters because insulin is a life-sustaining medication that people with type 1 diabetes absolutely need, and many people with type 2 diabetes also depend on it. Some people currently ration their insulin or skip doses because they can't afford the costs, which can lead to serious health complications. By removing these financial barriers, the bill aims to ensure that cost is never a reason someone goes without this critical medication.

The bill applies to all types of insulin covered by these programs and includes the medical supplies associated with injecting insulin, like syringes and needles. It affects two separate government insurance programs—Medicare (primarily for seniors and some disabled people) and Medicaid (for lower-income individuals and families)—so the change would reach millions of Americans. The bill essentially treats insulin like other essential medications that some insurance plans already cover without cost-sharing, recognizing that insulin isn't optional for people who need it to survive.

Insulin Access for All Act of 2021

Rush, Bobby L.

Insulin Access for All Act of 2021 This bill prohibits cost-sharing (e.g., copayments) under Medicaid and the Medicare prescription drug benefit for insulin and associated medical supplies.