“My top priority has always been looking out for the health and well-being of Long Island families, and our battle with COVID-19 has only strengthened this commitment. No one should ever have to put their health at risk because they can’t afford the medical treatment they need, yet for years, many individuals with diabetes have been forced to make unfair sacrifices and shoulder heavy financial burdens as the cost of insulin skyrockets. In fact, according to a study by Yale University, the cost of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013, causing a quarter of patients to cut back on their insulin intake.^[1]

“I’ve been working tirelessly to right this wrong and introduced legislation last year to cap the price of prescription insulin (A.8103). The 2020-21 state budget, which I recently helped pass, includes a similar proposal that would expand access to this lifesaving treatment by capping insulin out-of-pocket costs to $100 for a 30-day supply.

“Health care shouldn’t be reserved for the lucky few who can afford it. By providing New Yorkers with the relief they desperately need, the state budget helps make this critical medication more affordable and accessible to all, and will ultimately save lives.”

[1] news.yale.edu/2018/12/03/one-four-patients-say-theyve-skimped-insulin-because-high-cost