This week, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act of 2026. The Endocrine Society worked closely with the bill sponsors on the bill and its introduction. The INSULIN Act would lower the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for people with private insurance and the uninsured. Specifically, the bill would expand the $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket insulin costs, currently available for Medicare beneficiaries, to those with private insurance. The legislation also takes steps to provide affordable insulin to people with diabetes who are uninsured. The legislation would also ensure that patients can share in any rebates and discounts on insulin that are normally collected by Pharmacy Benefit Managers and promote biosimilar competition in the insulin market. In 2022, the Society successfully advocated for legislation to cap the cost of insulin to $35 a month for people with Medicare; this historic legislation would expand that to the private insurance market.
Upon introduction of the bill, the Society released a press statement announcing our endorsement of the legislation. We also sent an endorsement letter to the bill sponsors. The bill sponsors also released a joint press statement announcing the introduction of the bill which featured a quote from the Society’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert W. Lash.
TAKE ACTION: It is critical that all US Senators hear from their constituents the importance of supporting this legislation and passing it without delay. We have launched an advocacy campaign for our members to contact their Senators directly about this important legislation. We urge all Endocrine Society members to take action today and ask your Senators to cosponsor and pass this legislation quickly. You can take action today by clicking here.
Last week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began the process of developing an updated Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031 by sharing a draft framework for the plan. When complete, the plan will outline NIH’s vision for biomedical research direction, capacity, and stewardship, by articulating the highest priorities for NIH. It will also provide illustrative examples of accomplishments under the last plan and new initiatives under this one. The NIH-Wide Strategic Plan is designed to complement and harmonize Institute and Center (IC) strategic plans across NIH, which address their individual missions.
To gather input from the public during the development process, NIH issued a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting feedback on the draft priorities and goals of the updated plan. Comments will be accepted through May 16. NIH is also hosting a webinar on April 8 at 2:30 PM EDT – you can register here. The Endocrine Society is developing a response and encourage our members to share their feedback with us at [email protected]. Members may also respond to the RFI directly to share their thoughts on the agency’s direction and strategy.
It is critical that congressional offices hear from constituents to understand where grant delays are occurring and issues preventing you from accessing or applying for funds. We urge all US-based members to join our online campaign to advocate for increased funding and protections for NIH now while Congress is engaged on this issue.
We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.
