OLYMPIA —Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) continues to press for access to life-saving insulin even as she has won national recognition for her work in 2023 to reduce the cost of the drug to diabetes patients.
Legislation capping out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 a month, passed in 2023, today earned Keiser the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) Legislative Champion Award.
“I am honored to receive the DPAC Legislative Champion Award, recognizing the Legislature’s bipartisan efforts to make healthcare more affordable,” said Keiser. “We have to make sure everyone can afford to get the care they need. Capping out-of-pocket costs for insulin will make a tremendous difference to many diabetes patients across our state. But we still have much more work to do to drive better health outcomes for all Washingtonians.”
Keiser is currently sponsoring SB 5776, which would enable patients in need to access a month’s emergency supply of insulin at $10 once a year.
“Senator Karen Keiser has demonstrated dedication to the cause of affordable healthcare, particularly in addressing the critical issue of capping insulin costs for those with diabetes. Her efforts reflect a commitment to the health of every resident in Washington. It is with great pride that we present the DPAC Legislative Champion Award to Senator Keiser,” said George Huntley, CEO of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. “We look forward to further collaboration to improve the lives of all people living with, affected by, or at risk for diabetes.”
The DPAC Legislative Champion award recognizes those working collaboratively to understand the diabetes community, fighting to increase access and affordability to prevention and management tools and advancing patient-centered policies at the state or federal level for the 37.3 million Americans living with diabetes.
