It's time for all Tennesseeans to have affordable insulin!

My son, Trevon was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4. We are fortunate enough to have good health insurance to cover the expensive cost of insulin and other diabetic related supplies. 

Diabetics that are unable to afford their insulin run the risk of many health problems: Blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, limb loss, depression, and death.

Although diabetes has been around for centuries along with insulin, drug manufactures continue to raise the costs for this medicine versus developing a cure. I believe that families shouldn't have to worry about how they will buy life-sustaining medication while giant pharmaceutical companies rake in record-setting profits.

This petition is not asking for free insulin. It is asking for fair pricing for medications that are needed to sustain life. Only we, the people of the United States of America can change things. Only we, are able to make our voices heard, raise awareness, and put a cap on what a diabetic has to spend monthly on a medication that they need to live and be a functional member of society. 

Canada’s price for insulin is $90, and Colorado recently passed an insulin price cap of $100 per month. It's time for Tennessee to join Colorado in passing a price cap on this life-saving drug.

The insulin price cap in Colorado has shown that it’s possible for states to take control of outrageous insulin pricing and as a result, to save lives. It’s time for Tennessee to join them in protecting Tennesseans with diabetes from avoidable health risks. I urge you to look into the legislation that Colorado passed as a potential example for Tennessee to follow.