Study Links $35 Insulin Cap to Improved Treatment Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes

Apr 9, 2026

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on April 7, 2026 analyzed 4.8 million patient records to assess the impact of Medicare's $35 monthly insulin cap, which was implemented five years earlier for type 2 diabetes patients. The research found that the price cap significantly reduced out-of-pocket spending, increased insulin use, and improved blood sugar control as measured by two-to-three month averages, though severe hypoglycemia events saw a small increase. The findings provide evidence for price control policies amid a context where insulin prices tripled between 2002 and 2013. The study demonstrates that affordability interventions can improve both medication adherence and clinical outcomes for diabetes patients.

$35 Insulin Cap Impact on Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

▪There was a small increase in severe hypoglycemia events among Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes after the $35 insulin cap was implemented.
▪Blood sugar levels averaged over two to three months declined among Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes after the $35 insulin cap was implemented.
▪A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on April 7, 2026 tracked 4.8 million people's records before and after the $35 insulin cap was implemented.
▪A $35 monthly spending cap on insulin was first rolled out for Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes five years before April 2026.
▪Out-of-pocket spending on insulin fell significantly after the $35 monthly cap was implemented for Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes.

Over-the-Counter Abortion Medication Safety Evidence

▪A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on April 6, 2026 tested people's ability to self-assess their eligibility to take abortion medications.
▪Nearly 170 people at clinics in three states were shown a prototype over-the-counter package and drug facts label for abortion medications in the JAMA Internal Medicine study.
▪Some Republicans in Congress are pushing to ban the abortion drug mifepristone and investigate pill manufacturers as of April 2026.
▪Mifepristone and misoprostol have been available through virtual doctors' appointments since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
▪88% of participants in the JAMA Internal Medicine abortion medication study correctly assessed their eligibility for the medication.
▪Mifepristone and misoprostol had an in-person dispensing requirement for 20 years before becoming available through virtual doctors' appointments.

Cancellation of Science Education Research on Genetics and Prejudice

▪Brian Donovan is preparing to apply for nursing school as of April 2026.
▪Brian Donovan lost both of his National Science Foundation grants on a single day in April 2025.
▪Brian Donovan received his Ph.D. in science education less than a decade before April 2026.
▪The Trump administration cancelled Brian Donovan's National Science Foundation grants as part of a mass cancellation of awards determined to no longer effectuate administration priorities.

Perspective of Healthcare policy advocates supporting price controls

▪Improved medication adherence among Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrates the effectiveness of the $35 insulin cap policy.

Perspective of Patients with type 2 diabetes who rely on insulin

▪The $35 monthly insulin cap reduced the financial barrier to obtaining necessary diabetes medication for Medicare patients.
▪Lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin enabled Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes to use their medication more consistently.

Perspective of Clinical researchers studying medication adherence

▪The 4.8 million patient records analyzed in the JAMA Internal Medicine study represent a large-scale natural experiment on medication pricing policy.
▪Declining average blood sugar levels among Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes indicate that the $35 insulin cap produced measurable clinical benefits.