Policy and Advocacy Director at T1International, Shaina Kasper, joins Rob and Eritrea on the show to discuss a wide range of topics, including:

• What $35 dollar insulin really means for people living with diabetes

• It’s been six months since insulin manufacturers announced that programs were being rolled out for co-pay caps but many patients are struggling to qualify for these benefits - whats going on?

• Shaina’s sister T1D diagnosis which led to her being in a clinical trial that actually diagnosed her with T1D as well

• How rationing insulin led Shaina to looking for a diabetes community

• Accessibility being easier in countries like Canada, Mexico and Europe

• Rationing insulin with diabetes is not rare. Globally 1 in 4 patients with diabetes has rationed insulin

• Policies like Affordable Insulin Now Act being introduced by Sen. Kennedy of Louisiana brings up $35 insulin caps for people who have private insurance, not just Medicare

• The biggest issue with copay cap policies is that they don’t always include private insurance, and it can create a reverse incentive for large manufacturers to raise cost of insulin because they know insurance will cover the difference

• A price cap on insulin is the most important thing to help most people living with diabetes get access to these medications we need

• If you have experience going into the pharmacy and are unable to get the lower priced insulin - write to your senator!

• Most people believe that affordability problem around insulin has been solved, but were learning this isn’t the case

• Coupon cards and insulin savings cards don’t always work; they’re not replacements for good public policy

• T1International is working on expanding Alex Law’s at the state level to get emergency access to drugs and with expanding Kevin’s Law to expand past the 42 states who have accepted it

• If you are interested in sharing your personal diabetes-rationing story, please reach out to T1International who can help guide you on how to to share your story with your Senator.

• Learn more about the T1International #insulin4all Summit happening on September 30, 2023.

We want to hear from you. Send those questions, comments, queries, and general diabetes concerns to THE MAILBAG at mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com!