The $25 type is of the R/N/L variety. The thing that sends you to the hospital with that type isn't it being "bad", it's ignorance. You need to be aware of the effectiveness curve (or whatever it's called) and take it / eat correctly based on that. It's not hard, it's just far less convenient then more recent insulins.

It's also a good idea to keep a sugar source available in case you can't keep food down for the amount of insulin you took (ie, you suddenly get nauseous after taking your insulin); which is also true of newer insulins, just less likely because there's less delay between taking it and eating.