Monthly Archives: April 2019

Proof

April 12, 2019 – 10:11 am

Maybe you read somewhere that there was a hearing held last Tuesday by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce committee, on the issues of insulin affordability.

Maybe you watched the hearing and heard testimony from Christel Marchand Aprigliano, CEO of Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, and Dr. William Cefalu from the American Diabetes Association, and JDRF’s new CEO, Aaron Kowalski, as they spoke with the passion that’s been fueling them for years, with the confidence that comes with knowing the truth is on their side.

Maybe you looked in on another hearing held this past Wednesday by the same subcommittee.

In the room being questioned were representatives from the three largest insulin makers doing business in the USA, and the three largest pharmacy benefit managers. It must have been uncomfortable for them at times, as Representative after Representative, republican and democrat, quoted testimony from last Tuesday’s hearing and didn’t allow any of them to get comfortable pointing their fingers at the others.

If you’re new to the diabetes community, or if you live outside of the United States, it might be difficult to understand what the past week and a half has meant to all of us here.

After years of straining to get noticed, our voices are finally being heard. Anyone who’s been marginalized (just ask any non-white person in America) can tell you that being heard means being validated.

The proof of this validation comes after years of asking, pleading, letter writing, Children’s Congresses, and in more recent years, e-mailing and tweeting. It comes after several organizations worked together to bring the issue of affordable access to insulin to the forefront.

And we’re not done yet. There were a lot of statements made by House members of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee on Wednesday, but the law didn’t change. Pharmacy Benefit Managers can still play their pricing games. Drug manufacturers are still generating a lot of revenue from insulin.

Meanwhile, people without insurance and people of limited means are still rationing insulin. People enrolled in high deductible health plans are still dreading the beginning of a new plan year, when they will pay full price for their insulin and supplies until they pay out thousands of dollars before they hit their deductible limit.

So before you think this is over, and you missed the advocacy train, let me tell you: there is plenty more for all of us to do. We’re on the right track. We need to keep the steamroller going.

And as more than one Representative mentioned, it’s shameful that people had to die before this issue could get noticed. Let’s do what we can so we can reach a day when no one will have to worry about insulin affordability again.

Thank you to all of the advocates big and small who helped open the door to hope again for so many of us. The light is beginning to peak through. Here’s hoping we’re basking in the sunny warmth of a job well done very soon.

By StephenS | Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Seven. Seven. Fifty-Seven.

April 9, 2019 – 10:11 am

A quick check of the calendar reveals that it’s an important week.

My great niece is now seven years old. Also, this blog turns seven today. And I am now fifty-seven years of age.

It’s ironic, isn’t it, such simple math surrounding a blog that focuses on a condition that involves daily imperfect equations?

I’ve been trying to think of how things have changed in seven years at this web address. Probably, subjects have changed due to how the diabetes landscape has changed over the years.

Mostly, that’s good. There have been some fantastic developments over the years, from closed looping to new insulins to advanced advocacy from super organizations that do more than ever before to help people get their voices heard, and help those who need it most.

I am happy, and honored, to talk about all those things.

I don’t think there have been enough recipes here. I love cooking, but not everything I make can be written down in perfect amounts. There’s a lot of some-of-this and a little-of-that in my cooking. But I need to post a couple of new things I’ve tried. They were delicious.

I’ve managed to give away about 85 Champion Athlete With Diabetes medals, to people as close as Pennsylvania and Virginia, and as far away as New Zealand and Mumbai. But I haven’t given away any for a while, and I still have plenty to give away, so write me!

I’ve written a lot in the last couple of years about the way we communicate with one another. Doctors to patients, patients to industry, industry to everyone. I try to be as fair as possible.

I think I’m not as quick to get upset about things as I might have been seven years ago. I hope so. I still like to take my time, think about an issue, and see if there’s something there that no one else, including myself, has considered.

I haven’t always published everything I’ve written. Some things are better left unshared. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to sharing more in the future, whether it’s here or somewhere else.

I love my great niece. And I love her choice in birthday party food: fried chicken. I’m glad to be here today, even if I do feel older than ever. It’s not all bad.

Seven years of blogging about diabetes is not something I thought was possible back in 2012. But I love to write, so here I am. In seven years, I’ve gone from not doing anything or knowing anyone, to being busier in diabetes than ever.

I’m more than grateful for the support of our great Diabetes Community, and the opportunities that have come my way to meet and interact, virtually or in real time, with some of the most special people I will ever meet.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare for two important diabetes-related meetings today. And my regular job on top of that. Life goes on. Thank you so much for reading. I’ll catch up with you again in a couple of days.

By StephenS | Posted in Milestones | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Take action Now (it’s soooo easy)

April 2, 2019 – 10:11 am

Courtesy of Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, I wanted you to know about a proposed change to Medicare Part D coverage (that’s drug coverage) that could be a big win for older people in America. And you can help add your voice to the growing chorus in support of this change!

Today, there are a lot of middlemen in the insulin pricing process. Those middlemen spend a lot of time negotiating discounts from drugmakers for insulin, and then putting those discounted savings right into their own pockets.

Under this system, the middlemen negotiate the $300.00 retail price of a vial of insulin down to about $85.00. Then they keep the difference for themselves. Medicare recipients don’t see that discount at the pharmacy!

But… under a proposed rule, those middlemen would have to pass the discount on to Medicare recipients, significantly lowering their cost of staying alive. Who couldn’t be for a change like that?

So here’s what I’m asking you to do: Go to the DPAC website, check out the slick informational graphic at the top of the page, and then add your name to the DPAC Rebate Reform Petition in support of this proposal.

I promise you it will only take a minute. And you’ll be one of many who have added their name to the list in support of something that will help to make diabetes patients, and everyone living with a chronic condition, a lot more likely to be able to afford the drugs they need to live their best in their senior years.

CLICK HERE to add your name to DPAC’s Rebate Reform Petition

Your one minute of advocacy can change lives. As someone with parents on Medicare, and as someone who will be eligible for Medicare in about eight years… Thank You.

By StephenS | Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)
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