Insulin Rationing Still Widespread Despite Policy Efforts

A new study from Yale University reveals that insulin rationing remains alarmingly common among people with diabetes, even after recent policy reforms meant to ease access and reduce cost. Researchers surveyed 199 patients in 2024 and found that approximately 25% admitted to cutting back or skipping doses of insulin because of financial strain—essentially the same rate recorded in a similar survey in 2017. 

While policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act have capped insulin copays for Medicare beneficiaries, they do not address younger adults, those with multiple insulin types, uninsured patients, or people covered by self-insured or out-of-state plans. 

The research highlights multiple barriers: high drug prices, insurance approval delays, and pharmacy shortages. In fact, when combined, 37% of respondents reported rationing due to one or more of these access issues. The study’s authors stress that although the medication to treat diabetes has been available for more than a century, it remains inaccessible for far too many—ending lives and worsening chronic illness outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

Roughly one in four diabetes patients still ration their insulin due to cost—no improvement since 2017.

Existing policy fixes fall short by excluding major groups and failing to curb rising insulin prices.

Multiple factors—affordability, inventory shortages, insurance barriers—continue to undermine insulin access.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-insulin-rationing-persists-policy.html#goog_rewarded

Adapted From:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-insulin-rationing-persists-policy.html#goog_rewarded

Link to study:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-025-09886-9

Conclusions

Despite new policies addressing insulin costs since 2017, one in four patients at Yale Diabetes Center rationed insulin due to cost in 2024, unchanged from 2017. Over one-third reported rationing due to broader access barriers. These findings highlight the ongoing need to comprehensively address insulin affordability and access.