Senate OKs Murray insurance bill limiting patients’ inhaler costs to $25 per month
STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray to cap the cost of prescription asthma inhalers for the insured to $25 per 30-day supply. The bill now goes to the House.
“Inhalers are a lifesaving necessity for those with asthma. No one should have to go without or ration their inhaler use — or have to ask their suffering child to do that — because of high costs,” said Chairwoman Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield). “Unfortunately, asthma rates are frequently higher in many of the communities where people are least able to afford high prescription costs. Keeping the costs of inhalers reasonable is important for maintaining public health. This bill expands access to lifesaving asthma prescriptions and asthma devices to ensure patients with asthma — especially our children and seniors — can afford the drugs and devices that keep them healthy and out of the hospital.”
According to the Department of Health, children from Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket are hospitalized for asthma 28% more often than children in the rest of the state.
Rhode Island had the highest rate of asthma among adults in the United States in 2021 and has consistently had higher than average rates of asthma and respiratory disease, particularly in urban areas surrounding Providence.
The average cost of an inhaler has risen sharply in the last 15 years, as new designs for inhalers have allowed drug makers to increase the price of the inhaler even as the drug inside has not changed.
The legislation (2025-S 0461) would cap the cost for a covered prescription inhaler used to administer medication for an FDA-approved respiratory condition to no more than $25 for a 30 day supply, effective Jan. 1. Coverage for prescription inhalers would not be subject to any deductible.
The bill now goes to the House, where Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) is sponsoring companion legislation (2025-H 5302).
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