Joint Commerce and Labor Committees Hear Assembly Bill 555, Aimed at Lowering Insulin Costs for Thousands of Nevadans

AB555 Would Seek to Cap Insulin Costs at $35 for Nevadans on Private Health Insurance

CARSON CITY – Today, Assembly Bill 555 (AB555) was heard for the first time in a joint meeting of the Assembly and Senate Commerce and Labor Committees. Sponsored by Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, this measure would seek to cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at no more than $35 for a one-month supply. It follows efforts through the Inflation Reduction Act that capped insulin costs at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries in 2022. The bill will next head to a vote from the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee before a full vote on the Assembly floor.

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“It is a simple, tragic fact that for too many Nevadans, the cost of insulin is still far too high. These are people left with an impossible choice – their health or the cost of living – and left to ration their insulin and risk life-altering complications as a result. Those complications trigger a lifetime of pain and unending new costs, and all of it can be avoided if the people who need insulin can afford it, full stop. We thank Speaker Yeager for leading this effort, because passing a bill like AB555 would show Nevada can still be a leader in proving that healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy few.”

Kaylyn Kardavani, Executive Director of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Too many Nevadans are still priced out of the insulin they need to survive — and that’s unacceptable. Every day, people are forced to ration doses, skip prescriptions, and risk serious complications, all because of a price tag that puts profit over people. That ends with AB555. We’re deeply grateful to Speaker Yeager for stepping up and fighting for the health and dignity of Nevadans. This bill doesn’t just cap costs — it restores a sense of fairness and humanity to a system that’s left too many behind. AB555 sends a clear, urgent message: in Nevada, healthcare isn’t a luxury for the privileged — it’s a right we fight for, together.”

William Moore, Civic Engagement Director of Mi Familia En Acción, issued the following statement:

“We know that over 10% of adults in Nevada have diabetes, translating to more than 250,000 individuals. Sadly, recent studies show that Latino adults are 1.5 times more likely to die from diabetes and 60% more likely than white adults to be diagnosed with this treatable disease by a physician. Speaker Steve Yeager's legislation to cap insulin costs at $35 for Nevadans on private health insurance would be a critical boon for Latinos. These savings can enable better adherence to prescribed insulin regimens, reducing the risk of severe complications. Fewer complications would lead to decreased hospitalizations and medical interventions for Latinos, resulting in substantial cost reductions for both individuals and the state's healthcare system.”

Taylor Patterson, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Native Americans face the highest rates of diabetes in the country due to significant barriers to quality affordable healthcare. Speaker Yeager’s AB555 is a long overdue piece of legislation that unravels a thread of greater healthcare inequality. We encourage officials to act swiftly as Nevadans whose lives depend on insulin will be able to breathe a sigh of relief once this bill is made into law.”

Robert Garcia, Lead Organizer with Make the Road Action Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Insulin isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. Speaker Yeager understands that no one should be forced to choose between life-saving medication and basic needs like rent or food. His bill to cap insulin prices at $35 is a critical step to protect Nevadans from Big Pharma’s greed. Meanwhile, Governor Lombardo continues to side with corporate interests, vetoing past efforts and leaving working families to suffer. We stand with Speaker Yeager and demand that our leaders put people over profits—because healthcare is a human right, and Nevadans deserve better.”

Eric Jeng, Executive Director of One APIA Nevada, issued the following statement:

“For so many families, managing diabetes isn’t just a medical challenge, it’s a financial one. The cost of insulin has weighed heavily on Nevada’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander families, who already face language and access barriers. Capping insulin at $35 through AB555 will bring real relief—fewer worries at the pharmacy counter, fewer sacrifices between health and daily essentials, and more peace of mind for those caring for loved ones. We thank Speaker Steve Yeager for championing this life-saving effort.”

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.