Living with diabetes is a full-time job. Raising a child with diabetes is… in its most accurate definition, “overtime without the overtime pay.” And working in diabetes care means helping people navigate a condition that never takes a day off.
One thing all of these roles have in common? They’ve shown me firsthand just how expensive diabetes care can be.
If diabetes came with a loyalty rewards program, all of us would have earned a week in the Caribbean by March. Wouldn’t that be nice? Yes, but the world doesn’t work that way.
Now, I know anyone reading my blog already gets this. But here’s the story taking all the oxygen right now, and for good reason: affordable diabetes tax credits. People are logging onto the marketplace to see how much more they’d pay next year if they choose to buy insurance, which, of course, people with diabetes need. And for many, it’s frighteningly out of reach.
I never thought I would say something like that.
This matters for everyone, even those lucky enough to have private insurance. When healthier people leave marketplace plans because premiums rise, the risk pool gets sicker, insurers raise rates, and premiums climb for all plans — marketplace or private. That’s why keeping tax credits strong isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it affects coverage and costs across the board.
A few weeks back, I wrote about my visit to Congress with the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC). Advocacy requires ongoing action. That’s why I’m supporting DPAC’s push to advance affordable diabetes tax credits in Congress, and why I’m asking you to join me.
Why These Tax Credits Matter
Whether it’s managing my own supplies or my son’s, I’m reminded daily of two truths:
- This equipment is essential.
- Whoever decided diabetes should cost this much clearly never had it.
Passing affordable diabetes tax credits would:
- Lower out-of-pocket diabetes expenses
- Make diabetes technology more financially accessible
- Reduce financial stress for families
- Help people with diabetes focus on health instead of budgets
- Keep healthier people in the marketplace, which helps stabilize premiums for all insurance plans, including private insurance.
This isn’t theoretical policy, it’s reality.
How to Contact Congress About Affordable Diabetes Care
The good news? DPAC has made taking action incredibly easy. Like, “faster than it takes to find a lost test strip” easy.
1. Send a Pre-Written Letter to Congress
DPAC provides a fully prepared letter you can personalize. Enter your info, press send, and it automatically goes to your Senators and House Representative.
2. Make a Quick Phone Call
DPAC also provides a short script for calling Congress. Even leaving a voicemail counts, and yes, you can totally do it while pacing your kitchen with a CGM warmup timer ticking down.
Both of these choices can be made by going to the following link: Can’t choose which one to do? Do both. Both actions take under three minutes and make a measurable difference.
Why Your Voice Matters in Diabetes Advocacy
Congressional offices track every call, email, and letter they receive. When an issue comes up repeatedly in a short period, staffers notice, and priorities shift.
Your outreach isn’t just another message in an inbox. It’s proof that people are paying attention and want meaningful change. Policies like affordable diabetes tax credits stabilize the insurance system for everyone, including those of us with private coverage.
Take Action Today: Support Affordable Diabetes Tax Credits
If you’ve ever thought, “Diabetes care should not cost this much,” this is your chance to help change that.
I’m asking, as a fellow person with diabetes, a parent, an educator, and someone who knows exactly how many test strips are currently sitting at the bottom of my backpack, to take three minutes today to raise your voice.
Send the letter. Make the call. Support affordable diabetes care.
Together, we can push for a future where diabetes care is accessible, affordable, and far less stressful for everyone.
Advocacy images tell the whole story, and are from DPAC’s Facebook Page