Today President Trump announced a price reduction on insulin for Medicare beneficiaries ONLY.  This new agreement does not help the other 5.3 million Americans that do have diabetes.  This fight is not over.  Please contact your representatives that we are not satisfied until ALL Americans that have diabetes, can afford insulin.  Here is a list of the California diabetes caucus.  I am 57 years old and have been taking insulin since 1974.  What he did today does not help my insulin cost.

Health insurance companies plan to soon start charging patients for Covid-19 treatment, despite the fact that the pandemic rages on and that insurers are actually profiting from it. Please consider signing this petition I just started asking them to keep covering Covid-19 cost-free.
 
I’m still beating the drums to get Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers to stop overcharging for insulin and other prescription drugs, but thought you’d also be interested in this other urgent health insurance issue.
 
Thanks.
 
Best,
Michael

Some good news about our insulin.

In response to the crisis caused by COVID-19, Eli Lilly is introducing the Eli Lilly Insulin Value Program, allowing anyone with commercial insurance and those without insurance at all to fill their monthly prescription of Lilly insulin for $35. The program is effective today and covers most Lilly insulins including all Humalog® (insulin lispro injection 100 units/mL) formulations.  There is more information at this website.

Diabetes and other chronic conditions such as asthma can reduce a persons immune system and be more vulnerable to Covid 19. Tens of thousands of diabetics are experiencing  fear and anxiety because of Covid 19.  We will help those concerned about diabetes and Covid 19.  California Lions Clubs Diabetes Awareness will be hosting a Facebook Live event tomorrow Wednesday April 8 12:00 Noon PST with endocrinologist Dr. Steven Edelman Founder and Director of Taking Control Of Your Diabetes  

Dr. Edelman is one of the nations top endocrinologist and has been a type 1 diabetic himself for over 40 years.  He will be addressing many of the concerns and fears people with diabetes are experiencing now.  To participate and listen to Dr. Edelman about this topic, click the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/LionsDiabetes/posts/208711530551807

Hello, everyone,

It feels surreal to be writing this to you. I’m sure your life feels surreal right now. Everyone is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic across the world in some way. I constantly send positive thoughts to the universe for your safety, health, and well-being, whoever you are, whether you have T1D or not.

Though, I strongly encourage all people with T1D to practice self-isolation right now to take the proper precautions. It is much better to be safe than sorry. If you’re able to stay home and/or work from home, please do it to protect yourself and others.

I hope that we as a society can coordinate quickly so that we can arrive at a positive resolution for humanity sooner rather than later. As leaders from the World Health Organization have said, this virus has the power to bring out the good or bad in us, and I hope it brings out our good, proactive, and harmonious nature.

I hope as time goes on we have the opportunity to learn from this part of our history in proactive and reflective ways, both scientific and empathetic, for the better of humanity.

At times like this, it’s easy to panic. It’s easy to become depressed and anxious. It’s human nature to worry. But, we must try to keep our thoughts positive and hopeful. We can do this best by controlling what we can, which means being a part of the solution.

I wanted to take the time today to share some T1D resources that may benefit you during this time. 

• JDRF Coronavirus Page
• Beyond Type 1 – Coronavirus and Type 1 Diabetes
• Beyond Type 1 – Diabetes Disaster Relief Plan
• Beyond Type 1 – The Diabetes Disaster Relief Coalition Coronavirus Response
• Beyond Type 1 – COVID-19 Q&A with an Endocrinologist
• Diatribe – What You Need to Know About T1D and the Coronavirus
• ADA – Coronavirus

If you have more relevant links to share, please drop them in the comments below for everyone.

I apologize I haven’t updated this support petition in a while. Please know it is still in my mind and is something I’m working on; however, we are all shifting priorities right now and the biggest focus I have is on providing the best information and resources to global communities like this.

It feels that lately, everything has taken a back seat to this pandemic – and it should. As people with T1D know best, without our health we don’t have much, and that should be our priority right now. We cannot take our health for granted or risk it.

I would also encourage you to follow the CDC and WHO and your local government above all other resources. Be mindful of the content you consume and be a curious reader. There is a lot of misinformation floating out around there.

More than anything, I ask you to strongly consider The World Health Organization’s guidance:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Maintain social distancing
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Practice respiratory hygiene
• Seek medical care if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing
• Stay informed and follow the advice given by your healthcare provider
• Follow protective measures

Change.org has created many petitions to help communities push for school closures, quarantines, and more. Browse the website to find petitions you care about right now to support. 

All I want for everyone is to be healthy at the end of this all. Please take protective measures to ensure your safety. I am not an alarmist, but I am a realist, and I know how fragile our health is.

Spread kindness, not panic. Be kind to each other throughout this. We need to work together and coordinate for better outcomes. We are all on the same team and we are all in this together. We are always better safe than sorry – it’s much better to take precautions than not. 

Be well. Be safe. Take care.

Julia

We are now over 63,000 signatures to call on Congress to take action regarding the high cost of insulin.  A Recent study in China concluded that of people who died from Corona Virus covid-19, over 50 percent of the victims had diabetes.  Diabetics should not have to worry about the high cost of insulin at the same time worrying about being more vulnerable to Corona Virus.

Now more than ever Congress must take action to recognize people are dying from diabetes due to the rationing of insulin and that diabetes is a major contributor to the fatalities from Corona Virus Covid-19.

Please contact the California Congressional Diabetes Caucus at this link to urge them to vote into law Bill H.R. 4906 “Insulin Price Reduction Act”. Please tell your family and friends to sign our petition at: www.insulinforall.com