Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) have reintroduced the EPIPEN Act, legislation designed to make lifesaving allergy medication more accessible. The bill seeks to cap out-of-pocket costs for epinephrine at a maximum of $60 for a two-pack for individuals with employer-based or individually purchased health insurance. This measure is a direct response to the financial burdens faced by families who often find themselves unable to afford this critical medication.
Originally introduced during the 118th Congress, the updated 2025 version of the bill has been expanded to be more comprehensive. The new legislation now covers a broader range of epinephrine delivery systems, including nasal sprays and sublingual films, in addition to the traditional syringe-based auto-injectors like EpiPens. This ensures that families can choose the medication format that is best suited to their specific medical needs.
The reintroduction of this legislation comes amid widespread reports of families being forced to ration or rely on expired devices due to the exorbitant cost of epinephrine auto-injectors. The price of branded devices has seen a dramatic increase, soaring from less than $100 to over $600 in recent years in the United States, while the same medication costs less than $70 in the United Kingdom. This financial strain is particularly acute for families with high-deductible insurance plans, who may face more than $650 in annual costs.
If passed, the EPIPEN Act would provide significant nationwide price relief. The bill is projected to save families hundreds of dollars each year and could result in savings of up to $13,000 over a child’s lifetime. This is calculated from the time a child begins to carry epinephrine until they age out of their parents’ insurance coverage at 26.
A critical component of the legislation is its focus on proactive preparedness. The bill aims to help families prepare for the unknown, as a first severe allergic reaction can occur without any prior warning, especially in children who have not been previously diagnosed. By capping costs and expanding coverage, the EPIPEN Act would enable more families to keep this lifesaving medication on hand, ready for an emergency.
“Families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their kids safe. Yet across the country, the cost of epinephrine has skyrocketed, putting life-saving care out of reach for too many,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “That’s why Congressman Frost and I are reintroducing our bill to cap the cost of this essential medication. Families already face enough stress managing life-threatening allergies—this legislation will lift some of that burden by making epinephrine affordable and accessible for those who need it.” Congressman Frost, who has a severe allergy himself, added, “Going about life with a severe allergy can be severely anxiety-inducing. But the simple act of carrying an EpiPen or any other type of epinephrine medication can take away a lot of that stress. I’m hopeful that the EPIPEN Act will allow more and more people and families to have the life-saving medication on hand anywhere, because you never know when you might need it most.”
The bill has garnered significant support from leading allergy and health equity organizations. James M. Tracy, DO, FACAAI, President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), stated, “Quick access to epinephrine can be the difference between life and death during an anaphylactic reaction. We thank Rep. Frost and Rep. Matsui for their leadership on this bill which will help make this life-saving medication more accessible to allergy patients.” Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), also voiced support, saying, “People and families managing severe allergies should have access to the medicines they need. This bill addresses a cost barrier and will improve access to epinephrine.”
