Georgia CommonsHB 897: Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program Act; enact
Last action January 12, 2026 · House Second Readers
A Georgia House bill would create the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program, requiring pharmacies to give a 30 day emergency insulin supply to eligible Georgians who are almost out, with drug manufacturers footing the bill.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
Some Georgians run low on insulin and cannot get a refill in time, which can cause serious health problems. This bill sets up the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program under the Department of Community Health. A pharmacy would have to give a 30 day supply of insulin to someone who has less than a seven day supply left, has a valid prescription, and meets residency and coverage requirements, after that person fills out an application and shows ID. The pharmacy could charge up to $35 for the supply, then bill the insulin manufacturer for its cost and get a replacement supply. People waiting on Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids eligibility could get one extra 30 day supply within 12 months. Manufacturers must set up procedures and a hotline for the program, and face steep monthly penalties (starting at $200,000) for not complying. Fraudulently obtaining insulin through the program is a crime. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, with reporting requirements starting in 2026 and 2027.
What the bill does
- Requires pharmacies to dispense a 30 day supply of insulin to eligible individuals who have less than a seven day supply left and a valid prescription.
- Caps the copayment a pharmacy can charge for that emergency supply at $35, with the pharmacy billing the manufacturer to recoup its cost and get resupplied.
- Allows a second 30 day supply within 12 months for people waiting on Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids eligibility decisions.
- Requires the Department of Community Health to create an application form, an information sheet, and satisfaction surveys for patients and pharmacies.
- Requires insulin manufacturers to set up a dedicated process and hotline to supply pharmacies, and imposes penalties up to $600,000 per month for noncompliance.
- Makes fraudulently obtaining program benefits a misdemeanor, or a felony if the value exceeds $1,500, and sets annual reporting duties for manufacturers, pharmacies, and the department.
Who it affects
Georgia residents who run critically low on insulin, retail pharmacies that must stock and dispense emergency supplies, insulin manufacturers with more than $2 million in annual Georgia sales, the Department of Community Health, the State Board of Pharmacy, and people awaiting Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids eligibility decisions.
Why it matters
People who run out of insulin face serious health risks within days. This bill would let them get a 30 day emergency supply quickly and affordably from any pharmacy, shifting the cost burden from patients and pharmacies onto insulin manufacturers rather than leaving patients to pay full price or go without.
Key provisions
- Code Section 49-4-201 defines key terms, exempting insulin priced at $8.00 or less per milliliter and manufacturers with $2 million or less in Georgia insulin sales.
- Code Section 49-4-202 requires pharmacies to dispense a 30 day supply upon a completed application, ID, and valid prescription, capping the copay at $35 and requiring manufacturer reimbursement or resupply.
- Code Section 49-4-203 permits one additional 30 day supply within 12 months for individuals awaiting Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids eligibility.
- Code Section 49-4-204 sets eligibility criteria, including residency, insufficient cost-sharing coverage, and not having used the program in the past 12 months.
- Code Sections 49-4-205 and 49-4-206 direct the Department of Community Health to create an information sheet and patient/pharmacy satisfaction surveys.
- Code Section 49-4-207 requires manufacturers to set up procedures, a hotline, and dedicated staff for the program.
- Code Section 49-4-208 sets penalties: fraud is a misdemeanor or felony over $1,500, and manufacturer noncompliance draws fines starting at $200,000 per month, rising to $600,000 per month after a year.
- Code Section 49-4-209 requires annual reporting from manufacturers and pharmacies starting July 1, 2026, and a report to the General Assembly starting August 15, 2027; Section 2 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025.
From the bill
“a pharmacy shall dispense one 30 day supply of insulin to an eligible individual in urgent need of insulin”
“'Urgent need of insulin' means having readily available for use less than a seven-day supply of insulin and in need of insulin in order to avoid the likelihood of suffering significant health consequences.”
“the department may assess an administrative penalty of $200,000.00 per month of such noncompliance”
Status timeline
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
- 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)
Topics
- insulin access
- prescription drug costs
- diabetes care
- pharmacy regulation
- public assistance