Hip, hip, hoo-ADA!
Exclusive content includes: The latest on the INSULIN Act + an ADA Day explainer.
Hi diabesties! For a limited time, today’s bonus newsletter is free (!!!). If you like what you read, you can upgrade to a paid subscription below for more exclusive content that’ll help you feel more informed, connected, and a little less alone. 🫶
For diabetics, insulin isn’t just another prescription—it’s a literal lifeline. Without it, individuals can experience super high blood sugar, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), life-threatening complications, and even death. And yet, the reality is that thousands of Americans are still forced to ration insulin, skip doses, or delay refills because they can’t afford it. Enter: The INSULIN Act (aka Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now), a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering insulin costs in the U.S. If passed, the legislation would:
Cap insulin costs at $35/month for many people with commercial insurance and remove upfront deductible barriers.
Increase transparency by requiring savings and rebates within the insulin supply chain to be passed along.
Encourage more affordable insulin options through increased access to generic and biosimilar products.
Expand support for uninsured individuals through programs designed to improve insulin access.
As of last week, the INSULIN Act advanced after the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted to move the measure forward. Now, this vote doesn’t mean the bill is law (yet!)—it still needs approval from both the House and Senate—but for people living with diabetes, this moment is more than a policy update. It’s a reminder that advocacy, vulnerable storytelling, and your voice can create real change. Here’s how:
Contact your members of Congress and ask them to support the INSULIN Act.
Share your story if insulin costs have affected you or a loved one.
Follow orgs like the American Diabetes Association and Breakthrough T1D to stay informed and take action.
Although insulin has existed for more than a century, affordability remains one of the biggest challenges facing the diabetes community today. The INSULIN Act won’t solve every barrier to care, but it brings us a step closer to a world where no one has to wonder if they can afford the one thing that keeps them alive.
Every July 26th is National Disability Independence Day, a day that honors the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law in 1990, the ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination and helps ensure equal access to employment, education, transportation, public spaces, and government services. More than 30 years later, it’s still shaping what accessibility looks like—and for many diabetics, it’s something that makes everyday life safer. Because ICYDK, diabetes totally qualifies as a disability under the ADA. (Which is a good thing, BTW!) That means people with the disease may be entitled to reasonable accommodations at work, school, and in public settings. So, what exactly are those accommodations? Well, they can look like:
Carrying insulin, low blood sugar snacks, glucagon, and other diabetes supplies.
Wearing insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
Checking blood sugar, taking insulin, or treating a low during class or work.
Keeping food, water, and medical supplies nearby.
Requesting reasonable breaks or schedule flexibility for diabetes care.
Receiving accommodations in school, standardized testing, or the workplace.
Being protected from discrimination because of a diagnosis.
And so much more!
Now that you know a bit more about these protections and why they’re so important for diabetics, you can better advocate for yourself, your family, your diabestie, or the diabetes community as a whole. You got this! 💙