Sticker Shock: Why Affordable Access to Insulin is Critical for Both Patients and Employers

“How can I afford to stay alive?” My thoughts raced as I sat with the weight of the information that my endocrinologist had just given me. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the winter of 2022, and I suddenly realized I had been thrust into a world that was much more complicated than before. Not only did I need to manage my blood sugar to avoid lethal consequences, but I also realized how much it would cost for me to survive. While I knew that insulin prices were high, I didn’t fully grasp the extent of the problem until I became completely dependent on this life-saving medication. I realized that millions of people across the country face the same challenges as me and struggle to afford the insulin they need to survive.