Thread by @kristinecweller

I’m at an Access to Insulin Rally at the Utah State Capitol. Attendees want to make insulin more accessible by making it possible to get insulin without a prescription.

There are about 25 people here, many have type 1 diabetes or know someone who does.

“The lack of affordable insulin is a public health crisis.”
Stephanie Arceneaux is from T1International.

Another speaker is speaking about her brother Kacey. He had type 1 diabetes and when he was first diagnosed he was prescribed the wrong type of insulin.

Kacey’s medical treatments cost around $800 a month. He eventually lost his eyesight.

Kacey eventually had to get a new doctor. This doctor believed all diabetes could be treated with diet an exercise and refused to prescribe him insulin.

“Nobody should have to bury a loved one because insulin is inaccessible.”

Diana Thomas is the support lead for Utah’s T1International chapter. Her daughter has type 1 diabetes.

“There’s a low risk of abuse and it’s time sensitive.” Thomas says insulin should be as accessible drugs like birth control.

Thomas says if pharmacists can prescribe insulin, lives will be saved.

Matt Dinger says without insurance he would pay $50,000 a year for insulin.

“I’m afraid the undue burden of medical expenses will fall on my family,” Dinger says.

Dinger says administrative practices also limit access to insulin.

“Getting a prescription is so much harder than it should be, especially for those without insurance.”

Because of such barriers, many people with type 1 diabetes start rationing their insulin. This can be life threatening.

Phil Cowley is a pharmacist from Cache County. He is a supporter of #Insulin4all

“We must remove access to care barriers.” Cowley says patients deserve better.

Cowley says you pharmacists need to be able to prescribe insulin so patients can be taken care of.

“There’s a right to insulin like there is a right to food.”

Acreneaux is speaking again. She related a story when her bag was stolen from her car — her insulin included. That night she almost died.

Attendees at the rally are all shivering after being out in the cold for an hour. But they encourage others to join the fight to get better rights for diabetics.