As a Type 1 diabetic for more than 50 years, every single day I have required insulin injections to stay alive. While I’ve been faced with rationing and skipping doses, I’ve been fortunate to still be healthy. That is not the case for too many Americans when the cost of treating a chronic condition becomes overwhelming.

As someone who has been living with diabetes for 50 years, I understand firsthand the intrinsic role politics plays in my life. After all, politicians have direct control over whether or not I have access to affordable health insurance or whether I or not I can afford to pay for insulin — the absolutely critical medication I need every day to stay alive.