But again, we must ask: who is this available to? This technology requires a prescription, and we know that Black and Brown communities are being offered access at much lower rates than their white peers. I am a Black woman with a family history of type 2 that puts me at greater risk of developing it. Interestingly, despite having several family members with type 2 diabetes, my child with type 1 is the first person that has CGM technology, and that was because I pushed for it. Read more
On January 20, President Biden issued a freeze on all new regulations that former President Trump had not finished implementing so his administration would have a chance to evaluate them and decide whether they should go into effect. These freezes are standard practice for a new administration taking over for a president of the opposite party; President Trump implemented a similar freeze on his first day in office in 2017. Read more
What a year we had as a community and as an organization in 2020. There were many global challenges, as always, and COVID-19 had huge impacts across the world. Below is a taste of what, thanks to our advocates and supporters, we achieved. Read more
To everyone who knew him, Stewart was not only a friend and colleague, he was a passionate advocate, and a leader who knew exactly what patients living with diabetes needed to survive. He understood why patients should speak out for change. He believed that no person with diabetes should have to worry about the accessibility or affordability of insulin in their lifetime. Read more
On November 16, it was first reported that President-elect Biden will appoint Steve Ricchetti as one of his counselors in the White House. We are disappointed that the President-elect would choose a former lobbyist for Eli Lilly and Sanofi to serve in such a senior post in his administration. Read more
Canada is the home of insulin. It was invented here and even features on our $100 bill. And yet, 100 years later, there is no Canada-wide coverage for insulin. Our Chapter's current campaign is called #freeinsulin100. Our goal is to ensure the passage of federal legislation implementing a national pharmacare program by the end of 2021, which would include all Provinces and Territories providing insulin free of charge for all people who require it by the end of 2021. Currently Canada stands alone as the only country in the world with a national public healthcare system that does not also cover required prescription medication.
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Here are five reasons - showcasing #insuiln4all and other social change movements around the world - why joining art, creativity and activism together is so powerful. It fosters self-expression, community building, activation, it is inspiring and attention grabbing, and it leads activists to better engage with the media. Read more
There is an insulin rationing crisis in the United States, driven by the high price of this life-saving medication. Research indicates that one-quarter of people with diabetes have to ration their insulin because of the cost, and rationing puts patients at greater risk of health complications, including death. In Minnesota, advocates responded to the deaths of Alec Raeshawn Smith and Jesimya David Scherer-Radcliff by fighting to pass the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which was the first in the nation to establish a program for patients with diabetes to purchase the insulin they need at an affordable price. After years of work, this bill was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on April 15, 2020. Read more
I wrote this piece for an AP Spanish assignment, but it took me on a deeper journey than I expected. I learned not just about the price of insulin but also how it affects people’s decision making, their accessibility taking priority over general wellbeing. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage month, I wanted to share this in English and Spanish, to give the Hispanic community, especially here in the USA, the representation they well deserve. Read more
Shortages of insulin are not something new in Iran, but recently there is no insulin at all. We were shocked by responses from our politicians who said, "The shortage is just for pens and we have plenty of internal production of insulin. People can replace it." However, the types of insulin that are produced in Iran are NPH and R. Few consumers in Iran use NPH. About 70 percent of Iranian people with diabetes use insulin pens. Read more