Government

Oklahoma Shows Some Legislatures Still Care About Their Constituents

Hey, 1L thinking about Health Law reform, this is for you!

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(Image by Getty)

Diabetes sucks. And if you have Type 1 diabetes, lacking a steady stream of insulin has deadly consequences. And, as prices rapidly increase over time, more and more people struggle to get the aid they need. And it’s not one of those choices like buying a home or avocado toast. It’s more like diabetic ketoacidosis or rent. Thankfully, Oklahoma recently passed House Bill 1019 — capping the co-pay for folks with insurance who need insulin at about a dollar a day. And while this is a great start, it is openly admitted that the job is far from over.

“The frustrating part of that is that it’s still only a very small percentage of Oklahomans who will benefit from that co-pay cap on insulin,” she said. “So as a state senator and part of the state legislature, I feel like it’s incumbent upon all of us to continue to pass policies that will reduce costs for everyone.” – Senator Carri Hicks

This law is great for folks with insurance, as it should be, but folks still need help. There are about 44 million uninsured adults in the U.S., and I’d wager a good amount of them need insulin too. Especially right now. And while not being able to afford out-of-pocket costs for direly needed medical treatments might make for great TV, it shouldn’t be a reality that many people face in a country that paints itself as the best in the world. Today, Oklahoma gave an example of how the law can protect folks in need. As lawyers, let’s work toward spreading that reach. Looking at you, North Dakota.

New Oklahoma Law Capping Insulin Co-Pays Goes Into Effect, Advocates Say It’s A Good Start [KFOR]

Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s. Before that, he wrote columns for an online magazine named The Muse Collaborative under the pen name Knehmo. He endured the great state of Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who cannot swim, a published author on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at [email protected] and by tweet at @WritesForRent.

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