Bill Overview
Title: INsulin For Our Recurring Medical Needs Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to compile and publish on its website information about publicly available pharmaceutical affordability assistance programs, including for insulin. HHS also must distribute various printed materials with such information to health facilities, including community health centers, medical clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals.
Sponsors: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Target Audience
Population: People with Diabetes Needing Insulin
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The INFORM Act focuses on pharmaceutical affordability, specifically mentioning insulin.
- Insulin is primarily used by individuals with diabetes.
- According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 537 million adults worldwide have diabetes as of 2021.
- Therefore, the global target population would include those dependent on insulin for diabetes management.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints of the INFORM Act imply that while there is a considerable amount of funding, it will not be sufficient to reach all insulin-dependent individuals in need simultaneously. Assistance may be prioritized based on severity of need or financial hardship.
- Some individuals may have access to similar affordability assistance programs already, thus their experience with the policy might be less pronounced.
- The population most likely to benefit includes those with limited insurance coverage or high deductibles, as well as low-income individuals.
- Certain demographics, such as older adults and minorities who historically face higher healthcare costs and accessibility issues, are likely to see more dramatic improvements in wellbeing if they are able to access insulin cheaper through the policy.
- By year 10, a considerable portion of those who are aware and affected by the program could see improved long-term wellbeing, but initial years might focus on awareness and coverage expansion.
Simulated Interviews
Truck Driver (Ohio)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy helps me get insulin I can afford, it'd be a big relief. It's been a struggle managing between high costs and my job demands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important, especially for those without good insurance. Personally, it might not change things significantly for me immediately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Medicare helps, but insulin costs still accumulate. This policy might make a noticeable difference in my spending.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Self-employed (Texas)
Age: 44 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Right now it's stressful managing high costs myself. Lower costs through clearer assistance would be a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired Nurse (New York)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step in the right direction for those struggling with insulin costs. Personally, I may not feel it much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any help to make insulin affordable is welcomed, I often have to skip doses due to costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
PhD Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might not directly affect me much now, but it's a necessary action for others in more need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Accountant (Alabama)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this might help my grandson more than myself, as I'm well-covered by the VA.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelancer (Washington)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Affordable insulin would ease financial uncertainty every month. I hope the program rolls out effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Factory Worker (Kentucky)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Insulin cost takes a lot of my paycheck, any relief from this policy could greatly help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $24000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $29000000)
Year 3: $24000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $29000000)
Year 5: $23000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $28000000)
Year 10: $23000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $28000000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- No direct subsidies or price control measures are included, limiting immediate government fiscal exposure.
- Effectiveness hinges on the ability to widely disseminate accurate and up-to-date information, which might face logistical and practical challenges.
- Potential for increasing public awareness of insulin affordability and availability, which could apply indirect pressure on the pharmaceutical industry.