This topic is personal to me. For the last six years of her life, I was the main caretaker for my mother, who was a type 2 diabetic. While what she ultimately died of had no relation to the diabetes, I am very much aware of the complexity of this chronic disease.
30.3 MILLION Americans have diabetes. Some diabetics are insulin -dependent. Their bodies do not produce enough insulin FOR THEM TO SURVIVE.
Let me say this again….
THEY NEED INSULIN INJECTIONS TO SURVIVE.
My mother was one of those diabetics.
I went to the pharmacy all the time to pick up her insulin and diabetic supplies.
It never occurred to me that this would ever happen.
When I first read about this a few months ago, I was stunned and outraged. You will never be able to convince me, that, with all the advances in medicine, that this should be happening in the United States of America.
Skyrocketing cost of insulin pushes Americans to buy drug in Canada
Jul 5, 2019 6:35 PM EDT
Sarah Varney
Insulin is a vital drug that some 7.4 million Americans must take daily to manage their diabetes. But its price nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016, leaving some patients with no choice but to turn to black-market drugs or traveling to Canada, where insulin can be 90 percent cheaper. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports on the skyrocketing cost of insulin — and the trend’s deadly consequences.
Transcript:
- Judy Woodruff:
But first: We return now to rising anger over the skyrocketing cost of insulin, a lifesaving drug for some 7.5 million Americans who have diabetes.
The Trump administration has vowed to rein in drug prices, but when it comes to insulin, the costs remain an enormous burden for some patients.
Special correspondent Sarah Varney joined a group of diabetics and parents who crossed the Midwest in order to buy insulin in London, Ontario, the birthplace of the drug.
Our story was produced in collaboration with Kaiser Health News.
- Sarah Varney:
It’s early morning in downtown Minneapolis, and Quinn Nystrom is scrambling to arrange last-minute logistics for the trip to Canada.
- Woman:
A little nervous out there.
- Quinn Nystrom:
You and me both.
- Sarah Varney:
The caravan has drawn the media’s eye to a vexing problem that threatens her life and other type 1 diabetics in the U.S., the exorbitant cost of insulin.
They will cross five states, picking up passengers along the way, all to buy insulin in Canada, where it costs 90 percent less.
- Quinn Nystrom:
Does everybody have their passport? Is everybody holding their passport up?
- Sarah Varney:
For Nystrom, this quest began years ago, when she was growing up in rural Baxter, Minnesota. She was diagnosed with type 1 at 13 and hated being different from other girls at school. But when her parents sent her to a camp for kids with diabetes, she learned she wasn’t alone.
- Quinn Nystrom:
I didn’t get the choice to get diabetes, but I certainly had the choice of how I was going to react to getting diabetes.
- Sarah Varney:
She had dreams of finding a cure for diabetes. But about five years ago, as she was starting her career in public relations, she realized the real crisis: the price of insulin.
- Quinn Nystrom:
When I went to pick up that insulin, it started costing me $200 out of pocket, then $300 out of pocket. So I just started posting that on my social media, and started to get a lot of responses.
- Sarah Varney:
So, Nystrom, once her senior class president and self-described rule-follower, took a different path. She now expedites transfers of black market insulin.
WHY would a medicine DOUBLE in price over the course of 4 years?
WHY would a medicine that MILLIONS need TO LIVE DOUBLE IN PRICE?
I don’t care what hasn’t been charged yet – I believe it’s COLLUSION between the companies.
And, no, I don’t believe medicine needed for a CHRONIC DISEASE, should DOUBLE IN PRICE.
There’s something crooked going on here. And, it has the lives of MILLIONS at stake.
People choosing between medicine and food. People RATIONINING, and seeing if they can skip doses – they can’t. Some are being forced to play Russian Roulette with their health, and I can’t see any other reason than GREED.
https://twitter.com/simonerzim/status/1149051100387057665
https://twitter.com/skepticalbrotha/status/1149062720710467586
https://twitter.com/ConnieSchultz/status/1148799662121476096
https://twitter.com/MeritLaw/status/1149085024878092288
😪😪😪😪
https://twitter.com/3ChicsPolitico/status/1149081532130312192
I was talking to daughter on the phone and Carson said….hi granny! He heard my voice. This little baby is too much.
I already told you that that baby is wicked smart!
Carson’s straight up got it going ON! Love this boy<3
Awe 😍 😍
https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1149040925076795393
Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) Tweeted:
Reporter points out to Alex Acosta that he hasn’t apologized to Epstein’s victims. In his response, Alex Acosta does not apologize to Epstein’s victims. https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1149033081103355907?s=17
Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) Tweeted:
Why is Acosta making public comments discussing the specifics of victim’s communications with law enforcement while charges against Epstein are pending?
He can potentially use Acosta’s statements against prosecutors in that case. https://t.co/q8Vq5TnyP6 https://twitter.com/renato_mariotti/status/1149035075100712960?s=17
😂😂😂
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/1149023500604268544
Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) Tweeted:
@joshtpm Here is the right message Acosta should have sent: “I disgraced myself and the whole concept of equal justice under the law. I created an opportunity for more victims preyed upon by this monster I helped. I broke the law in the process. I resign.” https://twitter.com/NormOrnstein/status/1149033648563392513?s=17
https://twitter.com/JRubinBlogger/status/1149016643974119428
😒😒😒😒😒
https://twitter.com/jkfecke/status/1148742391769239552
https://twitter.com/theappeal/status/1148802190074634242
https://twitter.com/SteveKornacki/status/1146116566016299008
https://twitter.com/SteveKornacki/status/1146120376554086400
https://twitter.com/JacksonCorbin_/status/1148578269631041537
https://twitter.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/1149025311801126912
https://twitter.com/ifindkarma/status/1148972668017729536
https://twitter.com/Yamiche/status/1149017242270609409
I shuddered just reading this tweet
https://twitter.com/stengel/status/1148919072773550081
https://twitter.com/ZoeTillman/status/1149010523167629315
August J. Pollak (@AugustJPollak) Tweeted:
Tom Steyer could literally afford to register millions of new voters for a fraction of the cost of a failed presidential campaign and he’d probably end up with schools named after him for it. It’s not just that he’s egotistical; it’s that his egotistical act isn’t even practical. https://twitter.com/AugustJPollak/status/1148590187502559232?s=17
He has been a deadbeat all across the country. Folks told DC to get their money upfront 😒😒
https://twitter.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/1148983432690774020
https://twitter.com/keithboykin/status/1148984134498443264
https://twitter.com/democracynow/status/1148991024573952000
https://twitter.com/tariqnasheed/status/1148708154101735424
😒😒😒
https://twitter.com/lynnv378/status/1148924798803877888
https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/1149002299269898240
https://twitter.com/BrentNYT/status/1148723691016151041
https://twitter.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/1148978494602383361
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1148198068434743296
😒😒🙄🙄
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/1148967099181801472
https://twitter.com/splcenter/status/1148955210255097856
https://twitter.com/democracynow/status/1148942242930941952
https://twitter.com/RepRaulGrijalva/status/1148966055466983424
https://twitter.com/Mimirocah1/status/1148928576433086464
https://twitter.com/royalfocus1/status/1148964265526792193
Way to insult Black men to get them on board, Zerlina
https://twitter.com/TweetExpose/status/1148956941886152704
https://twitter.com/WayAheadUK/status/1148953047713947648
SO FUCKED UP
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1148965913263312902
Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) Tweeted:
All morning I’ve been stuck on this one point:
Who knows 4-5 child rapists personally? Like who is friends or even acquaintances with MULTIPLE serial child rapists?
Trump is friends w/ a lot of people who commit rape for a person who has been credibly accused of multiple rapes https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/1148965208339230720?s=17
McConnell has stacked the courts. We’re doomed. He really can stand in the middle of 5th avenue, kill someone and get away with it. He has taken the Constitution and wiped his behind with it while laughing.
https://twitter.com/MikeScarcella/status/1148962386436657153
https://twitter.com/jedshug/status/1148580945433366530
https://twitter.com/Tapperific/status/1148588656715804672
https://twitter.com/JohnWDean/status/1148846214437191680
😒😒😒😒
https://twitter.com/RachelLarris/status/1148936410218545156
That’s because they have always been frauds…and never been real Christians 😠😠😠
They are the direct descendants of the muthaphuckas 😠 😠 who used the Bible to justify slavery and Jim Crow.
So, them justifying putting children in cages and tearing them from their parents…no big deal😒😒😒
https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1148940544200118272
Ida Skibenes ❄️ (@ida_skibenes) Tweeted:
There’s something utterly disgusting about republicans who bash @AOC for working as a bartender, but can’t even pretend to be outraged about the Secretary of Labor enabling a pedophile.
I. Just. Can’t. https://twitter.com/ida_skibenes/status/1148683418491920384?s=17
https://twitter.com/Lilblackbabies/status/1148739543862038528
MASS MOBILIZATION JULY 12th
👨👩👧👧👨👨👦👦👩👩👧👦👪👩👦👦👩👧👦👨👩👦👦👨👨👧👩👩👧👩👦👨👩👦👦
“Lights for Liberty: A Nationwide Vigil to End Human Detention Camps”
Text: LIGHTS to 977-79 to find a location near you!
Please share this far and wide. @Lights4Liberty #DontLookAway #EndTrumpsConcentrationCamps pic.twitter.com/kqRBe5rV2C
— GayleinKC (@gayleasher1) July 10, 2019
😒😒😒
https://twitter.com/Kennymack1971/status/1148593889131061251
https://twitter.com/NaomiOMy_/status/1148751430410313728
https://twitter.com/admiralmpj/status/1148771311566503936
((( Cajsa ))) (@Cajsa) Tweeted:
A Republican is someone who thinks Monica Lewinsky was a naive child at 23. But Epstein’s victims were knowing, consenting sex workers at 16. https://twitter.com/Cajsa/status/1148682224687972352?s=17
https://twitter.com/Bakari_Sellers/status/1148926392358379527
https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1148920047504678912
https://twitter.com/acnewsitics/status/1148667737704673280
https://twitter.com/fieldnegro/status/1148920012410896386
https://twitter.com/DavidCornDC/status/1148917722736144386
Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) Tweeted:
I’m pretty horrified by this quote about Kamala from a Biden ally, “We went out and tried to, best we can — especially with a slick and slippery person — try to pin Kamala Harris down on her own record.”
WTH? Slick? Slippery?🤦🏾♀️
I call it prepared! https://t.co/AM0YhA64hg https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/1148918574746087424?s=17
https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/1148919916495548416
https://twitter.com/blewis823/status/1148397935991898112
https://twitter.com/Jenifa_0_Jenny/status/1148653399384231941
https://twitter.com/brenbrenchie/status/1148718781830746113
https://twitter.com/Newsweek/status/1148887106573484032
😲😲😲👀👀
https://twitter.com/usatodaytravel/status/1148901678135091201
UM, NO JUST
https://gfycat.com/potablesecondhandchamois-no-no-no-jokes
https://twitter.com/UROCKlive1/status/1148891589013430272
😠😠😠
Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) Tweeted:
Given how oral arguments went today in the 5th circuit ACA case, every reporter within earshot of a Senate Republican tomorrow should ask what their plan is should the entire ACA be struck down and 20 million lose coverage. https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1148756480344150016?s=17
https://twitter.com/ClistonBrown/status/1148444187764748288
😂😂😂
https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/1148796477839482882
https://twitter.com/skepticalbrotha/status/1148806762658709505
😒😒😒
https://twitter.com/JRubinBlogger/status/1148804848189693953
😂😂😂
https://twitter.com/dilemmv/status/1148767089613844480
https://twitter.com/MCmuckraker/status/1148317431489863680
https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/1148690994520399872
😠😠😠
https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/1148690994520399872
https://twitter.com/AC360/status/1148752385675804674
RIP😪😪😪
https://twitter.com/DMVFollowers/status/1148686665394851841
https://twitter.com/sfpelosi/status/1148733236589158401
https://twitter.com/MichelleObama/status/1148724703063871488
😒😒🙄🙄
https://twitter.com/AFarray/status/1148694650536022016
Someone should buy it and donate it to the Blacksonian 🙏🙏
https://twitter.com/BrentNYT/status/1148723691016151041
SMH
https://twitter.com/Kennymack1971/status/1148749300127752192
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1148749954065862662
https://twitter.com/XXL/status/1148283249979998208
Ride that wave, Cowboy Nas!
Yes👏👏👏👏
https://twitter.com/AyannaPressley/status/1148705150854467585
End of an era 😪😪
https://twitter.com/northjersey/status/1148752210421047296
😠😠😠
https://twitter.com/EricHolder/status/1148645381087092737
https://twitter.com/Darkwa_Says/status/1146527567605915654
FIFTY 👏THREE 👏 PAGE 👏 INDICTMENT 👏
https://twitter.com/jkbjournalist/status/1148628285489913857
😲😲😲
RIP😪😪😪
https://twitter.com/THRMattBelloni/status/1148787724989714432
https://twitter.com/mayatcontreras/status/1148785266615816192
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1148756195408252930
😠😠😠😠
https://twitter.com/soledadobrien/status/1148783199167926273
https://twitter.com/Kennymack1971/status/1148754192070262784
Good Morning, Everyone 😄😄😄
HAPPY HUMP DAY, EVERYONE!