BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Andrew Cuomo is looking to cap insulin co-payments at $100 a month for people with health insurance. The proposal was part of this year's State of the State.
For people with diabetes, like Kathryn Orsino, the yearly cost of staying healthy can be high. According to the Health Care Cost Institute, annual insulin costs nearly doubled between 2012 and 2016, going from $2,864 to $5,705. Orsino just got her Masters degree and is searching for a full-time job. She said a key factor when it comes to picking one is health insurance.
"I'm choosing my job specifically for good benefits," Orsino said.
Dr. Kathleen Bethin with University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine said even people with insurance can pay $300 for one vile.
"The problem is, is the young people who are transitioning, who sometimes don't have any coverage, and they're the ones who are probably hurting the most from high prices," Bethin said.
Cuomo's proposal doesn't include any price caps for uninsured patients.
If the legislation passes New York would join Colorado and Illinois as the only states with insulin price caps.
