If the Grand Canyon was created by water, I wonder how my
eyes have yet to become canyons themselves.
Last night as the tears flowed uninterrupted, my husband
held me knowing there was nothing he could say. He bounced his feet, rocking me
into a relaxed state so my mind could sleep, and ultimately find a
little rest.
I worry so for my children’s future. These preexisting
conditions that they are strapped with will be a monkey on their back for the
rest of their lives.
Will they be able to afford insulin?
Will they be free to see a doctor or a specialist if needed?
Or will they be one of the thousands starting “Go Fund Me”
accounts to stay alive?
I feel like I’m failing them.
America has made it clear: The almighty dollar is more
important than life.
And my calls to our representatives and meetings with
Insulin companies are gleaning no immediate change, and such little hope for
the future I wish for.
It’s easy to demonize people, especially when their choices
have direct affect on our own lives, and the lives of those we love most. But
as I sat in a conference room at Lilly in Indianapolis last month, there was
little room to judge the humanness of the people who worked there. They looked us in the eyes and said all the right things.
They told us they knew that people were hurting, they knew that they needed to
do something. They knew that things needed to change and that’s why we were
there. The change couldn’t be made alone, they need us to help.
Which when I type it sounds completely absurd, but yet it is
true. Part of me wants to yell, “You got us into this situation, now get us
out!” But the truth is, the way American Healthcare works…that is what got us
into this situation, and there is absolutely no easy way out.
Only our voices can incite change in the United States Healthcare System. We vote for people to represent us, they work for us.
(Or for special interests. Or for their party. Who knows
anymore.)
But as easy as it is to just throw our arms up in the air
and swear at executives and government representatives, we need to suit up.
We need to act, and fight, and voice our frustrations in the
right places with the right emotions, at the right time. (Which is now, by the way.)
Lilly has long term and short term solutions. One of the
short term solutions is their 40% off retail program that wasn’t fully
presented to us because our stories cut them short.
“I appreciate that you are trying to do something, I promise
I do, but it isn’t enough. Individuals and families are suffering.”
Story after story of fears for our futures. Story after
story of struggling to pay to stay alive.
They got it. Tears were in their eyes. Trust me, Lilly
understands the deep urgency of the situation.
While they start work on their end, there is something we
can do on our end. We can sit with our HR departments and explain how much we
are paying for diabetes supplies. We can ask them to change their plans to put
insulin on the Preventative Medicine List. This way insulin will not be subject
to deductibles. You’re employer has the power to do this, and it has been shown
that it will cost less than a dollar per year, per employee to make the change.
It needs to become the norm for employers to challenge PBM’s
(Pharmacy Benefit Managers) on plan design. Employers are at the top of the
food chain; they have the power to do this. But they won’t do it if they don’t
know there is a problem. There is a good chance your employer doesn’t even know
what your family is paying. On their
end, Lilly will work to make sure that the PBM’s pass on the discounts they are
giving to us. Right now PBM’s are charging us full price and pocketing the discount
difference. They need to feel the pressure from all sides. (On a side note, it is my understanding there will be help resources and even workshops on this topic forthcoming, from a variety of sources.)
Tell your story. It
can make a difference.
Especially now.
Call your senator. Tell them your fears for our future. Tell
them if you are struggling now, and if you are not, tell them about all your
friends that are.
I know it doesn’t seem like much but small and simple acts
are what change the world.
Don’t do nothing.
Call someone. Write someone.
Act.
The more voices, the more the impact. Don’t brace yourself
and hope for the best.
Please don’t.
This is a pivotal time in our history. Our stories are
powerful. Don’t be afraid to ask for better.
Perfect will never happen.
Let’s work for better. (Thanks Bennet.)
There is a thorough overview of the Lilly Diabetes Insulin
Pricing Workshop HERE, written by Mike at Diabetes Mine.
Please sign up and join The Affordable Insulin Project HERE.
Once it is launched it will be a mechanism to help us find a way to reduce
insulin costs.
Lilly’s Blink Health, 40% off retail can be found HERE.
The Lilly Cares Program can be found HERE.
A list of your senators can be found HERE.
A link to the DPAC (Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition) App
is HERE.
And my love for you and our community can be found HERE,
always.
Nice write up Meri. I think you added your reasoned voice to the important topic.
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