Insulin in America: A Right or a Privilege?

Has Insulin Become a Privilege Rather Than a Right in America?

Despite Frederick Banting’s intention to make insulin freely available by selling the patent for just $1, insulin has become prohibitively expensive in the United States, with some patients paying over $300 per vial. This transformation of a life-saving medication from an affordable necessity to a luxury item represents a fundamental betrayal of the discoverer’s vision and raises critical questions about healthcare as a human right versus a market commodity.

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Medicare's $35 Insulin Cap: How It Improved Satisfaction and Adherence

How Did Medicare’s $35 Insulin Cap Affect Patient Satisfaction and Medication Adherence?

Medicare’s implementation of a $35 monthly insulin cost cap significantly improved prescription satisfaction scores, increased medication adherence rates, and reduced financial hardship among beneficiaries with diabetes. The policy intervention demonstrated that insulin price caps can successfully improve patient outcomes without creating shortages or reducing access, providing a model for broader healthcare affordability reforms.

Dr. Kumar’s Take

Medicare’s insulin cap proves that policy solutions to pharmaceutical pricing actually work when implemented with political will. The dramatic improvements in patient satisfaction and adherence demonstrate that high medication costs were creating artificial barriers to essential treatment, not reflecting genuine economic constraints. This success story should be replicated across all age groups and insurance types - if Medicare can cap insulin at $35 monthly for seniors, there’s no reason younger patients should pay $300 per vial for the same medication.

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