Great Lakes Wire

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently released her plans for lowering the cost of insulin in Michigan after backing Attorney General Dana Nessel's efforts to hold drug companies accountable.

Whitmer proposed new actions Jan. 26 aimed at lowering the cost of insulin in her State of the State address, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. Nessel is already in state courts seeking to launch an investigation into one of the three largest manufacturers of insulin in the United States while the legislature has pushed new bipartisan bills that could potentially cap the cost of insulin at $50 a month.

"Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders need insulin to survive and for too long, drug companies have been skyrocketing prices," Whitmer said in her press release. "I support Attorney General Nessel's efforts to use the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to put Michiganders first by investigating the role drug companies play in raising prices. I also look forward to working with legislature to cap the cost of insulin."

Nessel's investigation would probe into one of the three largest drug companies that create nearly all the insulin in the US, which would push forward should Nessel gain use of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to investigate the role drug companies play in raising prices, according to the press release. Meanwhile, Michigan State Reps. Cambensy and Kahle are behind the bill to cap insulin prices.

"Too many Michiganders are forced to ration insulin or forgo it, putting their lives at risk," Whitmer said. "Some families spend thousands of dollars a year on insulin and prices keep going up—they've tripled from 2009 to 2019. Together, we can lower the cost of insulin, hold drug companies accountable and save lives." 

By lowering the cost of insulin, Michiganders can more efficiently pay the bills, put food on the table, or save for the future, in addition to saving lives across the state. Whitmer hopes to work with the legislature and the attorney general in order to hold drug companies accountable and provide insulin for those in need at a reasonable and accessible price.