House Bill 4346, sponsored by state Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, was passed by the House Health Policy Committee Wednesday, according to a news release from Cambensy’s office. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — House Bill 4346, sponsored by state Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, was passed by the House Health Policy Committee Wednesday, according to a news release from Cambensy’s office. The bill would establish an insulin copay cap of $50 for a 30-day supply, officials said.

“Today was a great day for type-1 diabetics in Michigan who are enrolled in Michigan’s state-sponsored health care plans,” Cambensy said in the release. “Even though legislators do not have the authority to regulate all private or state employee health insurance plans, Medicaid or Medicare, my bill will give relief to almost 200,000 Michiganders struggling with the high cost of insulin. No one should have to risk their life rationing their insulin supply because the cost has more than quadrupled over the last two decades.

“The high cost of emergency care for diabetics when they don’t have access to the proper amount of prescribed insulin costs all insured residents more in premiums. I’m grateful for Speaker (Jason) Wentworth’s leadership on pushing for transparency and affordability on drug pricing, and I’m looking forward to Michigan joining 14 other states that have passed similar legislation already.

“Make no mistake. By passing this insulin bill in Michigan, we will send a strong message to Congress that it’s time for them to step up and regulate the high cost of insulin and other life-saving drugs under the remaining healthcare plans they have jurisdiction over. The people have spoken — they want legislators to act and lower the cost of prescription drugs. This is a first step, but I’m relieved to see we are on our way, demanding change for those we represent.”

The bill was introduced as part of a bipartisan package of bills aiming to increase health care access and make prescription drugs more affordable in Michigan.