---
title: HB 897. Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program Act; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb897
cite_as: HB 897, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb897
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb897.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb897/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71970
date: 2026-01-12
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb896.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb898.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 129
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb897.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 897
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-04-02
last_action: House Second Readers
sponsors:
- Michelle Au
- Carolyn Hugley
- Samuel Park
- Tanya Miller
- Spencer Frye
- Saira Draper
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB897/2025
upstream_id: 2019404
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- insulin access
- prescription drug costs
- diabetes care
- pharmacy regulation
- public assistance
---
# HB 897. Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program Act; enact
## Text
House Bill 897
By: Representatives Au of the 50th, Hugley of the 141st, Park of the 107th, Miller of the 62nd,
Frye of the 122nd, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public
assistance, so as to make insulin accessible to individuals who are in urgent need of a
short-term affordable insulin supply; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions;
to require a pharmacy to dispense a 30 day supply of insulin to an eligible individual through
the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program; to allow a pharmacy to collect a copayment for
insulin dispensed through such program; to provide for a pharmacy to submit a claim for
payment or a replacement supply after dispensing insulin through such program; to require
a manufacturer to reimburse or resupply a pharmacy dispensing insulin through such
program; to provide for a pharmacy to dispense one additional short-term affordable urgent
insulin supply under certain conditions; to require the Department of Community Health to
develop an application form, an information sheet, and satisfaction surveys regarding such
program; to require a manufacturer of insulin to establish procedures to make insulin
available under such program; to provide for enforcement, penalties, and appellate
procedures; to provide for reporting; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective
date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance,
is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:
"ARTICLE 10
49-4-200.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program
Act.'
49-4-201.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Board' means the State Board of Pharmacy.
(2) 'Department' means the Department of Community Health.
(3) 'Eligible individual' means an individual qualified for assistance under the program
as provided in Code Section 49-4-204.
(4) 'Insulin' means various types of insulin analogs and insulin-like medications,
regardless of activation period or whether the solution is mixed before or after
dispensation. An insulin product is exempt from the provisions of this article if the
wholesale acquisition cost of the insulin is $8.00 or less per milliliter or applicable
National Council for Prescription Drug Plan billing unit for the entire assessment time
period, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
(5) 'Manufacturer' means a manufacturer engaged in the production of insulin that is
self-administered on an outpatient basis. Such term shall not include a manufacturer with
an annual gross revenue of $2 million or less from insulin sales in this state.
(6) 'Pharmacy' shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 26-4-5.
(7) 'Program' means the Urgent Insulin Safety Net Program as provided for in this article.
(8) 'Proper identification' means any document issued by a governmental agency
containing a description of the individual, such individual's photograph, or both, and
giving such individual's date of birth and includes, without being limited to, a passport,
military identification card, driver's license, or an identification card authorized under
Code Sections 40-5-100 through 40-5-104. Proper identification shall not include a birth
certificate.
(9) '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.
49-4-202.
(a) Upon receipt of a completed, signed, and dated application form, as provided for in
Code Section 49-4-204, proof of proper identification, and a copy of a current valid insulin
prescription, a pharmacy shall dispense one 30 day supply of insulin to an eligible
individual in urgent need of insulin; provided, however, that a pharmacy may dispense one
additional 30 day supply of insulin within a 12 month period to an eligible individual as
provided in Code Section 49-4-203.
(b) The pharmacy may collect a copayment from the individual to whom insulin was
dispensed through the program to cover such pharmacy's costs of processing and
dispensing insulin as part of the program in an amount not to exceed $35.00 for the 30 day
supply of insulin dispensed.
(c) The pharmacy shall notify the healthcare provider who issued the insulin prescription
for the eligible individual no later than 72 hours after the insulin is dispensed.
(d) The pharmacy shall submit to the manufacturer of the dispensed insulin product or to
the manufacturer's vendor a claim for payment that conforms with the National Council for
Prescription Drug Program standards for electronic claims processing. The manufacturer
shall timely reimburse the pharmacy in an amount that covers the pharmacy's acquisition
cost for the insulin and shall timely send the pharmacy a replacement supply of the same
insulin dispensed under the program.
(e) When the pharmacy dispenses the insulin to the eligible individual, the pharmacy shall
also provide an information sheet and a survey, as provided for in Code Sections 49-4-205
and 49-4-206, respectively.
(f) The pharmacy shall retain a copy of submitted applications for reporting and auditing
purposes.
49-4-203.
(a) A pharmacy shall dispense one additional 30 day supply of insulin to an eligible
individual in urgent need of insulin within a 12 month period if such individual has applied
for medical assistance, Georgia Medicaid, or PeachCare for Kids, and has not been
determined eligible or has been determined eligible and coverage has not become effective.
(b) To access one additional 30 day supply of insulin, such eligible individual shall attest
to the pharmacy that the individual meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code
section and shall be in compliance with the requirements provided in Code
Section 49-4-204.
49-4-204.
(a) To be deemed eligible for services under this article, an individual shall attest on an
application form as provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section that the individual:
(1) Is a resident of this state;
(2) Is not enrolled in any medical assistance or other health coverage or prescription drug
coverage program that limits such enrollee's total amount of cost-sharing for a 30 day
supply of insulin, including copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance, to $75.00 or less,
regardless of the type or amount of insulin prescribed;
(3) Has not received insulin through the program within the previous 12 months, except
as provided in Code Section 49-4-203; and
(4) Has an urgent need of insulin.
(b) The department shall develop and make available on its website an application form
for the program.
49-4-205.
(a) The department, in coordination with the board, shall develop an information sheet that
shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(1) A description of the program, including how to access it;
(2) Information on applying for medical assistance;
(3) Information on applying for a qualified health benefit plan offered through the
exchange as defined in Code Section 33-23-201; and
(4) Information on accessing healthcare providers who participate in prescription drug
discount programs, including providers who are authorized to participate in the 340B
program under section 340B of the federal Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C.
Section 256b, as amended.
(b) The department shall post the information sheet provided for in subsection (a) of this
Code section on its website.
49-4-206.
(a) The department, in coordination with the board, shall develop a survey to assess an
eligible individual's satisfaction with the program, including:
(1) Adequacy of information available and provided to individuals;
(2) Accessibility to insulin; and
(3) Individual's ability to access affordable insulin.
(b) The department, in coordination with the board, shall develop a survey to assess a
pharmacy's satisfaction with the program, including:
(1) Timeliness of reimbursement from the manufacturers for insulin dispensed through
the program;
(2) Ease in submitting claims and insulin product orders to the manufacturers; and
(3) Timeliness of receiving insulin replacement orders from the manufacturers.
(c) The department shall post the surveys provided for in subsections (a) and (b) of this
Code section on its website.
49-4-207.
Each manufacturer shall:
(1) Establish procedures to make insulin available in accordance with this article through
pharmacies to eligible individuals who are in urgent need of insulin;
(2) Establish a hotline to provide information on the program and shall list on its website
information about the program; and
(3) Provide for dedicated personnel to promptly respond to individuals, pharmacies, and
healthcare providers and the department.
49-4-208.
(a) Any person who by means of a false statement, failure to disclose information, or
impersonation, or by other fraudulent device, obtains or attempts to obtain any assistance,
benefit, or payment under this article to which such person is not entitled shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor; provided, however, that if the value of the assistance so obtained exceeds
$1,500.00, such person shall be guilty of a felony.
(b)(1) If a manufacturer fails to comply with the provisions of this article, the department
may assess an administrative penalty of $200,000.00 per month of such noncompliance.
(2) Such penalty shall increase to $400,000.00 per month if the manufacturer continues
to be in noncompliance after six months and shall increase to $600,000.00 per month if
the manufacturer continues to be in noncompliance after one year.
(3) The penalty shall remain at $600,000.00 per month for as long as the manufacturer
continues in noncompliance.
(c) An individual or entity that is aggrieved by the action of the department pursuant to
subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be entitled to a hearing conducted in
accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.'
49-4-209.
(a) By July 1, 2026, and every July 1 thereafter, each manufacturer shall report to the
department the following information for the preceding calendar year:
(1) The number of Georgia residents who accessed and received insulin through the
program;
(2) The total value of the insulin, determined by the wholesale acquisition cost of the
insulin, provided by the manufacturer for the program;
(3) The adequacy and timeliness of the manufacturer in responding to a pharmacy
requesting reimbursement or resupply of insulin dispensed through the program;
(4) Any administrative penalties assessed under Code Section 49-4-208; and
(5) Any additional information deemed necessary by the department.
(b) By July 1, 2026, and every July 1 thereafter, a pharmacy that received any applications
for the program shall report to the department the following information for the preceding
calendar year:
(1) The number of applications for an urgent insulin supply received and the number of
applications for additional urgent insulin supply received;
(2) The reasons for determinations of ineligibility;
(3) The amount of insulin dispensed through the program;
(4) The average and total amount of copayment collected from individuals;
(5) The timeliness of manufacturers' responses to requests for payment and re-supply of
insulin; and
(6) Any additional information deemed necessary by the department.
(c) By August 15, 2027, and every August 15 thereafter, the department shall submit to
the General Assembly a report regarding the implementation of the program under this
article. Such report shall include the following information for the preceding year:
(1) The data collected under subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section;
(2) The results of the satisfaction surveys provided for in Code Section 49-4-206; and
(3) Any additional information deemed necessary by the department to assess the
effectiveness of the implementation of the program."
SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
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.
### Plain-language summary
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 it 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.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-04-02)
- Last action: House Second Readers (2026-01-12)
- Sponsors: Michelle Au, Carolyn Hugley, Samuel Park, Tanya Miller, Spencer Frye, Saira Draper
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71970
> The history, votes, and amendments (129 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb897.md?full=1