In Italy no need for insurance, it's just the government that gives it you for free. But the problem is, I believe, different: it's the raw cost of the medication. Here in Europe even if the patient has to buy it, the cost is fraction.
I 100% agree to your second point. I found some data to compare: Humalog from Eli Lilly Netherlands costs 19,42 € per 10 ml vial in Slovakia [1] and $296.29 in the US [2]. Yep, that´s ~13 times as much (I ignore exchange rates, but it´s in the same ballpark). This is not saying much though, due to salary difference. Average monthly salary in Slovakia is 1133 € , while in the US it is $4692.5.
Thus, an average Slovak can pay for 580 ml of insulin monthly (I´ll note here, they doesn´t have to pay, it´s covered by insurance), while an American can only get 158 ml of the same brand, same product insulin.
On top of that is the manufacture price is up to $6.16 per vial. [5]
[1] https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https... [2] https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/humalog# [3]https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=sk&tl=en&u=htt... [4]https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000 [5]https://www.singlecare.com/blog/insulin-prices/
https://www.goodrx.com/humalog?dosage=10ml-of-100-units-ml&f...
(GoodRx doesn't have any direct user fees, they make money by understanding the stupid prescription drug system in the US)
There's a generic that is $50 at several pharmacies.
However, it´s also pointing to another facet of this issue: the opaqueness of the pricing. In here, price of medication (including insulin) is regulated and it´s the same everywhere, for everyone and no seller-specific discount can be applied.
It isn't good that the prices vary, but it's been long enough that people with substantial drug costs should be doing some basic checks, discussing the highest quoted US prices doesn't reflect what people are paying.
Or does using them disqualify people from other programs?
But yes, if you click on the green button, you'll see a list of restrictions. One of those is that if you're participating in any other state or federally funded programs, yes.
The "I have been prescribed this drug" bit is also pernicious; you don't get a prescription for "insulin," you get one for Humalog or Novolog or Levemir. You are at the whim of your doctor. Used one kind for years, but suddenly lose your job, which means a change in health insurance and a change of doctor, who decides that you need to change your brand for whatever reason? You can't use this discount to help keep continuity. (Additionally I am not sure what the "or am a caregiver" requirement is legally, but should really look that one up so that I know exactly what those requirements are, so thank you for giving me something to do today...)
> if you are uninsuranced the drug companies will often times just give the drug away to you for free.
This is horribly incorrect. People die for lack of insulin in the US all the time, and it's not because they just didn't bother to ask for their free insulin.
Is there really all that much of a difference; isn't that insurance pretty much just another name for the state?