United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 2004 — Emergency Access to Insulin Act of 2019

Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Emergency Access to Insulin Act of 2019 This bill reduces the marketing exclusivity period for biological drug products from 12 to 7 years and establishes policies and programs designed to increase access to prescription insulin. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to states to create insulin card programs, which provide uninsured or underinsured individuals with insulin at no cost for specified time periods. Payments for insulin prescriptions made through the program must count toward an underinsured individual’s health plan deductible. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must collect annual fees from insulin manufacturers, based on each manufacturer’s market share, equal to the total estimated expenditures under the insulin grants program. Subject to certain exceptions, the bill also establishes an excise tax on insulin manufacturers when the price of an insulin product spikes. The tax amount is a specified percentage of the revenue a manufacturer received as a result of the price spike. The tax amount increases in tiers based on the percentage of the price spike for that product.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes insulin assistance programs, creating a new structure for grants to support states and tribes in providing insulin access to eligible individuals.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    SEC. 320B. INSULIN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

    This adds a new section specifically addressing insulin assistance programs.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (a) Establishment of Program of Grants to States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal Organizations.--

    This introduces the establishment of a program for grants to support insulin access efforts.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, make grants to States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations for the purpose of carrying out programs to assist eligible individuals in obtaining insulin in accordance with paragraph (4).

    This mandates the Secretary to create funding mechanisms for states and tribes to improve insulin access.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (2) Grant and contract authority for states, indian tribes, and tribal organizations.--

    This allows states, tribes, and tribal organizations to utilize grants for contracts with entities to assist in insulin access.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (3) Allotment.--Each State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization that applies for a grant in accordance with subsection (e) shall receive a grant under this section in an amount that is equal to the sum of--

    This establishes a formula for grant allotments to support state and tribal insulin programs.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (4) Program components.--

    This defines specific components that programs must include to assist individuals in obtaining insulin.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (a) Application.--An eligible individual seeking an insulin card through a program supported by a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization receiving the grant, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization may reasonably require for purposes of this subsection, including--

    This details the requirements for individuals to apply for insulin assistance programs.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (b) Requirement of Matching Funds.--

    This establishes a requirement for states and tribes to provide matching funds for the insulin assistance grants.

  • 42 U.S.C. 243

    (c) Additional Required Agreements.--

    This introduces the conditions under which grants will be awarded, ensuring broader availability of insulin assistance services.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 2004 do?
Emergency Access to Insulin Act of 2019 This bill reduces the marketing exclusivity period for biological drug products from 12 to 7 years and establishes policies and programs designed to increase access to prescription insulin. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to states to create insulin card programs, which provide uninsured or underinsured individuals with insulin at no cost for specified time periods. Payments for insulin prescriptions made through the program must count toward an underinsured individual’s health plan deductible. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must collect annual fees from insulin manufacturers, based on each manufacturer’s market share, equal to the total estimated expenditures under the insulin grants program. Subject to certain exceptions, the bill also establishes an excise tax on insulin manufacturers when the price of an insulin product spikes. The tax amount is a specified percentage of the revenue a manufacturer received as a result of the price spike. The tax amount increases in tiers based on the percentage of the price spike for that product.
Who sponsors S 2004?
S 2004 is sponsored by Smith, Tina (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 2004?
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 2004?
Track S 2004 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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