What Christians Need to Know about Senate's Proposed Insulin Price Cap, How Churches Can Support Diabetics
There are about 29 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Of that number, the majority have type 2, which means they are insulin resistant and need a special diet, and in most cases, insulin, to get their sugar under control. There are also about 115 American adults who struggle with high blood sugar, but it’s not high enough to be considered diabetic, according to the CDC.
The High Price of Managing Diabetes
Diabetes is also the most expensive chronic disease in America, with the total cost being $412.9 billion as of 2022. Direct total medical costs are $306.6 billion, and indirect costs are $106.3 billion. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., according to Diabetes.org.
A poll released last month by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), picked up by Morningstar, reported that 72 percent of respondents are paying over $35 per month for their insulin, and 40 percent are paying more than $150 per month. Americans who make between $50,000 and $99,000 per month are the ones who are often paying the higher cost.
Another ADA survey revealed that one-third of respondents cut back on their groceries due to healthcare expenses, and one-fourth skipped or delayed an appointment with their healthcare professional. The bill that the Senate is working to pass would cap out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 dollars for those who have commercial insurance, according to The Hill. The Senate’s bill would also require lawmakers to create a program that would “reimburse qualifying entities for covering any costs that exceed $35 for providing a 30-day supply of insulin to uninsured patients,” according to a press release on Senator John Kennedy’s website.
State of Healthcare may Impact How Americans Vote in 2026 Midterms
In general, the majority of Americans are deeply concerned about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare. In a poll picked up by the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, 61 percent of respondents said that the present state of healthcare would have a significant impact on which candidates receive their vote.
Many people who have diabetes need assistance with paying for their care. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers a great deal of information regarding government assistance programs, what assistance Medicare will provide, and what Medicaid will provide.
Another resource to which those with diabetics can look, especially if in an underserved community, is Beyond Type 1.
The American Diabetes Association has a page on its website to connect people with available diabetes education programs.
Connecting with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is another way a person can get assistance with managing diabetes. These specialists are typically able to be contacted through hospitals, private physician practices, public health organizations, home health facilities, wellness programs, or community clinics, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How the Church Can Be Supportive of Diabetics
With the challenges that continue to surface in connection to healthcare and its affordability, there is potential for the church to create a ministry outreach to those in their community by forming a support ministry for diabetics. This idea was one that came to Gretchen Piatt, Ph.D., MPH, a few years back when she launched the Praise Diabetes Project in black churches throughout Detroit, according to Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan.
A general overview of the program is that it’s designed to train up leaders and/or lay leaders in churches who would assist diabetics with learning how to manage their disease. Leaders would provide education on how food and exercise impact glucose levels, and offer emotional and spiritual support.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Cyano66
Originally published July 06, 2026.
