No, insulin still doesn’t cost $35
A decade ago, insulin became the poster child for America’s out-of-control drug prices. The 2017 death of Alec Smith, who was rationing his insulin before he died, and repeated price hikes for a 100-year-old medication (the patent for which was originally sold for $1 to a university to prevent it from being exploited commercially) sparked […]
A decade ago, insulin became the symbol of America's drug price crisis. Alec Smith's death from rationing his insulin inspired widespread outrage. Since then, states have passed laws capping out-of-pocket insulin costs, and Congress included a $35 per month cap in the Inflation Reduction Act for Medicare patients. However, advocates warn that the crisis persists.
A 2024 survey showed that insulin rationing rates were worse than ever. Millions continue to struggle with the cost and have their long-term health at risk due to corporate greed. While there have been policy changes, they are seen as temporary fixes. Millions remain uninsured or have private insurance that isn't covered by the caps.
The process of obtaining discounts can be challenging, and pharmacies may run out of the most affordable insulins. The federal cap only applies to Medicare, and state laws vary, leaving many unprotected. The author emphasizes that fixing the insulin crisis requires more comprehensive action.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
