Gov. Whitmer's Plan to Lower the Cost of Insulin

Statement

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed actions to lower the cost of insulin in her State of the State address. Attorney General Dana Nessel is in court seeking to launch an investigation into one of the three largest manufacturers of insulin in the U.S. and in the legislature, there are bipartisan bills awaiting action that would, among other things, cap the cost of insulin at $50 a month.

"Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders need insulin to survive and for too long, drug companies have been skyrocketing prices," said Governor Whitmer. "I support Attorney General Nessel's efforts to use the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to put Michiganders first by investigating the role drug companies play in raising prices. I also look forward to working with legislature to cap the cost of insulin. Too many Michiganders are forced to ration insulin or forgo it, putting their lives at risk. Some families spend thousands of dollars a year on insulin and prices keep going up-they've tripled from 2009 to 2019. Together, we can lower the cost of insulin, hold drug companies accountable, and save lives."

"The average out-of-pocket cost of a single vial of insulin is nearing $100," AG Nessel said. "No Michigander should have to face that kind of cost for life-saving medicine. While drug companies profit off of people's health, they also benefit from a current market in which they control the pricing. Enough is enough. Our Consumer Protection Team, through our Corporate Oversight Division, is ready to devote its full resources to ensure that the proper entities are on the hook for these egregious prices, but we cannot fully protect consumers with one hand tied behind our backs. That is why this action will also pursue reconsideration of the rulings in Smith and Liss."

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