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Sussex County commissioners agree to join national insulin price legal action; opioid settlement funds reported

5821751 · August 20, 2025
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Summary

The Board authorized county counsel to join a national tort action targeting insulin manufacturers and noted this year's opioid settlement distribution; commissioners said the funds will continue to support local programs.

Sussex County commissioners voted Aug. 20 to authorize the county to join a national legal action aimed at recouping alleged excessive insulin costs and to prepare a formal resolution for the next meeting. Commissioners also reported that the county received its annual opioid settlement distribution in August and will continue allocating those funds to local programs.

At the meeting a county official said the August 8 wire transfer provided the county with roughly $350,000 in opioid‑settlement funds for the current allotment; those funds are earmarked to continue existing local addiction‑response programs. Separately, the county discussed joining a national tort claim against insulin manufacturers and distributors to address sharp price increases for insulin products over time.

The board approved a motion to join the insulin legal action by roll call: Deputy Director Space — yes; Director Carney — yes; Commissioner DeGroot — yes; Commissioner Henderson — yes; Commissioner Hayden — absent. Commissioners instructed staff and county counsel to prepare a resolution for the next meeting to formalize the county's participation.

Why it matters: County health and employee insurance costs were noted as drivers for pursuing the legal action; opioid settlement funds support local prevention and treatment programs. Participation in the insulin action would be part of a broader multi‑jurisdictional effort to seek damages or recover costs related to prescription pricing.

Ending: Commissioners said a resolution to join the insulin litigation will be prepared for the next meeting; opioid settlement funds will remain allocated to county programs already receiving that funding.