HB897: HB897 Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program Act; enact

People with diabetes who run critically low on insulin sometimes cannot afford to refill their prescription right away. This bill creates the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program, which requires Georgia pharmacies to dispense a 30 day supply of insulin to someone who qualifies, has less than a seven day supply left, and could face serious health consequences without it. The pharmacy can charge the patient up to $35, then bills the insulin manufacturer for the rest and gets a replacement supply. To qualify, a person must be a Georgia resident, lack insurance that caps their insulin costs at $75 or less per month, not have used the program in the past year (with an exception), and be in urgent need. People awaiting a Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids decision can get one extra 30 day supply. The Department of Community Health must create application forms, information sheets, and satisfaction surveys, and manufacturers must set up procedures, hotlines, and staff to support the program. The bill sets fraud penalties and manufacturer fines for noncompliance, and it would take effect July 1, 2025.

• Creates the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program requiring pharmacies to dispense a 30 day insulin supply to eligible people in urgent need, defined as having less than a seven day supply left.
• Allows pharmacies to charge up to $35 as a copayment for the emergency insulin, with the pharmacy billing the manufacturer for the remaining cost.
• Requires insulin manufacturers to reimburse pharmacies and send a replacement supply after insulin is dispensed through the program.
• Lets an eligible person get one additional 30 day supply within 12 months if they are waiting on a Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids eligibility decision.
• Sets criminal penalties for fraudulently obtaining program benefits and monthly fines of $200,000 to $600,000 against manufacturers that do not comply.
• Requires the Department of Community Health, pharmacies, and manufacturers to report yearly data on program use, and requires a public report to the General Assembly starting August 2027.

Georgia residents with diabetes who run critically short on insulin, retail pharmacies that must dispense the emergency supply and file claims, insulin manufacturers with more than $2 million in state sales, and the Department of Community Health and State Board of Pharmacy, which administer the program.

People who suddenly run out of insulin, a drug needed daily to survive, would have a guaranteed way to get a 30 day supply for no more than $35 while manufacturers cover the actual cost. This could reduce emergency room visits and health crises tied to insulin rationing, while creating new compliance duties for pharmacies and manufacturers.

• Section 49-4-201 defines key terms, including exempting insulin priced at $8.00 or less per milliliter from the program and excluding manufacturers with $2 million or less in state insulin sales.
• Section 49-4-202 requires a pharmacy to dispense a 30 day insulin supply on presentation of an application, ID, and valid prescription, and caps the pharmacy copayment at $35.00.
• Section 49-4-203 allows one additional 30 day supply within 12 months for people awaiting a Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids eligibility decision.
• Section 49-4-204 sets eligibility rules, including residency, lack of insurance capping insulin costs at $75 or less, and not having used the program in the prior year.
• Section 49-4-207 requires manufacturers to set up procedures, a hotline, and dedicated staff to support the program.
• Section 49-4-208 creates misdemeanor or felony penalties for fraud and escalating administrative fines on noncompliant manufacturers, starting at $200,000 per month and rising to $600,000 per month.
• Section 49-4-209 requires annual reporting from manufacturers and pharmacies starting July 1, 2026, and a report from the department to the General Assembly starting August 15, 2027.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025.

1. 2026-01-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Hopper (House)

• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)Primary sponsor
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Saira Draper (D, HD-090)

• insulin access
• diabetes care
• prescription drug costs
• pharmacy regulation
• public health