Lawmakers reviewed a proposal to continue a $25 monthly cap on insulin and related diabetic supplies for members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) health plan.

Senator Cleary, the bill sponsor in committee, said the provision mirrors a commercial bill in the House but the committee amendment limits the mandate to the PERS plan. Rebecca Fricke of the Public Employees Retirement System testified about the pilot program PERS ran during the current biennium and the actuarial estimate for continuing the cap.

Fricke said the pilot (January–June 2024 data) showed the plan experienced a modest increase in plan costs while directly reducing out‑of‑pocket spending for insulin users. Deloitte, PERS’ independent actuary, priced continuation of the program for the next biennium at an estimated 0.12% increase in premiums, which Fricke said equates to about $2.07 per contract per month. The fiscal note breaks that total into the share for state general funds, special funds and political subdivisions that participate in the plan.

Committee members asked whether the cap applied to Medicare Part D beneficiaries and Fricke clarified the federal Inflation Reduction Act already imposes a $35 monthly cap in Medicare Part D; the PERS proposal excludes Medicare retirees for that reason.

Discussion noted manufacturers had lowered some insulin list prices during the pilot, which reduced the projected cost pressure, and members raised policy questions about whether the state should extend a similar cap to the commercial market rather than only continue it for PERS.

The committee did not take a final vote on SB 2370; members set the bill aside pending further consideration and to wait for a committee member to return.