Last week, President Biden was sworn in as the 46^th President of the United States. A few days later, claims that the new administration was raising the cost of insulin erupted after the Biden Administration announced a pause of the previous administration’s executive order regarding insulin purchased at community health centers through the 340B program. Here, we break down what happened:

Last July, the Trump Administration released several executive orders on prescription drugs, one of which required federally qualified health centers (FQHC) that participate in the 340B program to pass on the discounts they receive for insulin directly to patients. The rule was finalized in December 2020, but it has not yet been implemented.

At the time of the initial announcement, many FQHCs reported already passing their discount savings onto patients and that the rule would create an administrative burden.

Last week, the Biden Administration announced a large-scale effort to pause and review all of the Trump Administration’s executive actions on health care, which included a “freeze” on the FQHC insulin rule until March 22.

The American Diabetes Association®  will continue to monitor the situation and engage with the Biden Administration to drive systemic policy change that makes insulin more affordable at the state and federal levels and benefits all people with diabetes who need to access their medications not only to survive but thrive.