Diabetes Update Updated 2/13/2012 Statement from L. Hunter Limbaugh, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association, Regarding the Obama Administration’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Alexandria, VA (February 13, 2012) – The American Diabetes Association (Association) is concerned that funding for core discretionary and mandatory health programs included in the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Budget falls far short of the investment needed to stop the diabetes epidemic. Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes and 79 million have prediabetes, placing them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The total annual cost of diabetes and its complications, including undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes and gestational diabetes was an estimated $218 billion in 2007, and will grow exponentially unless we act. Although we appreciate our country’s difficult fiscal situation, now is not the time to decrease funding for, or make structural changes to, programs that provide a lifeline to individuals living with, or at risk for diabetes. The Association is concerned that the Administration’s Budget does not provide adequate resources to continue the nation’s investment in diabetes prevention and research at National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both of which are critically important to addressing the diabetes epidemic. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the NIH is leading the way in supporting researchers across the country who are engaged in studies that will move us closer to a cure and better treatments for diabetes. The Association is concerned that the decreased level of funding that the President has proposed for the NIDDK will slow or halt promising research work that would allow individuals with the disease to live healthier, more productive lives. The Association is also disappointed that the President’s FY 2013 Budget does not provide adequate funding for valuable diabetes prevention efforts at the Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) at the CDC. Additionally, the President’s Budget includes a proposal to combine some chronic disease programs – including the DDT – at CDC. While the Association welcomes more coordination at CDC, in this challenging budget environment we caution that without substantial resources, it is imprudent to move forward with chronic disease consolidation at the agency. The DDT’s ability to help people avoid diabetes and its devastating complications in every state and territory would be severely reduced under the proposal to consolidate chronic disease programs included in the Budget. In addition, the Association is concerned about provisions in the Budget that affect important mandatory programs. The President’s Budget includes harmful cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, programs that provide essential access to care for more than 14 million children and adults with diabetes. The Association is particularly alarmed by proposals to shift additional costs to beneficiaries and states and restructure certain Medicaid and Medicare services because these kinds of drastic changes will limit access for low-income and older Americans and lead to a deterioration in state Medicaid programs, Medicare and public health. Included in the President’s FY 2013 budget are proposals to increase cost-sharing for many Medicare beneficiaries. The Association notes that in 2006, one in four Medicare beneficiaries spent 30 percent or more of annual income on health expenses and nearly seven in ten Medicare enrollees spent 10 percent of their income on health expenses. Considering that half of all Medicare beneficiaries have incomes of $22,500 of less in 2012,1 it’s clear that Medicare beneficiaries already pay their fair share and additional cost burdens must not be placed on those who are already spending a substantial percentage of their income on health expenses. The Association strongly supports funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund (Fund) which provides an unprecedented opportunity to invest in public health efforts to prevent and detect costly and life- threatening diseases like diabetes. We are disappointed to see the Fund has been cut in the FY 2013 budget and view it as a dangerous step backwards in our progress to prevent disease, promote wellness and reduce healthcare costs. The 105 million children and adults with diabetes and prediabetes are counting on these programs to help treat, prevent, and cure diabetes and its complications. As the FY 2013 budget and appropriations process begins, we look forward to working with the Administration and Members of Congress to Stop Diabetes® and combat the explosive growth in the financial and human tolls of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish. Updated 2/9/2012 American Diabetes Association Advocacy Diabetes affects the lives of nearly 26 million children and adults in this country and another 79 million with prediabetes. If current trends continue, one in three children will face a future with diabetes. It’s a tragedy that dose not have to happen. By working with Congress and State Legislators, we can stop the diabetes epidemic in America. Our 2012 State and Federal Legislative Priorities. Our advocates at work. See our 2011 Advocacy Accomplishments. For more information about our State Legislative Priorities, download this brochure. For more information about our Federal Legislative Priorities, download this brochure. Access to Health Care We are committed to expanding the number of people with diabetes who have insurance, and to ensuring that coverage is adequate, affordable and available. . Funding for Research and Programs We are working to increase funding for diabetes research and programs at the federal and state levels. . Eliminating Discrimination We are committed to ending discrimination against children and adults with diabetes by providing information and assistance to people with diabetes and their advocates. . Prevention We are committed to supporting efforts to prevent diabetes and its complications. . Disparities We support legislation with the goal of eliminating health disparities and improving diabetes research, treatment and education in minority populations. Posted 12/13/2011 Dear Friend, Imagine Emma, a six year old little girl with diabetes, going to school for the first time. She will learn how to read and write this year. Now imagine six year old Emma being unable to receive her insulin when she needs it because the school doesn't have a trained staff person to help her administer it. It seems unbelievable, but this is the reality for many children with diabetes across America. Children Are Being Placed in Life Threatening Situations The American Diabetes Association’s Safe at School® program is dedicated to making sure all students with diabetes have the care they need to learn and be healthy. The Association works with schools across the country, training parents, health care professionals, and school personnel to make sure children with diabetes have the care they need so that they are not placed in life threatening situations. We Are Still Fighting to Keep Our Children Safe We are making great progress in many states, such as Florida, where we worked to pass a law ensuring kids with diabetes get needed care in their neighborhood schools (see Jared’s story), But we are continuously fighting for our children's safety in other states like California and Pennsylvania, where children's lives are placed at risk each and every day. We need your help with this important work to keep our children safe and healthy at school. Your Generosity Can Help Please make a gift now to help children like Emma be protected at school. Your donation will help schools become safer places for all children with diabetes, allowing them to learn, and simply be children. If you are a parent who needs help or would simply like to know more about the Safe at School program, please call us at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit us online at diabetes.org/SafeatSchool. Thank you for your continued support, Larry Hausner Chief Executive Officer American Diabetes Association Posted 11/2/2011 MEDIA ALERT! The American Diabetes Association Asks: Will You Raise Your Hand to Stop Diabetes®? American Diabetes Month® Launches with Facebook-Based Initiative; Diabetes Advocates are Recognized This month, the American Diabetes Association launches its annual effort to raise the profile of diabetes with its boldest, most extensive program of the past 35 years. From outspoken advocates and community leaders to medical professionals and celebrities who battle this disease every day, the Association will document how the disease affects the lives of millions of Americans and will recognize individuals who are furthering the organization’s movement to Stop Diabetes. The Facebook-based effort also asks people to “Raise their Hand to Stop Diabetes” by making a personal pledge to take action against this deadly disease. With nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. with the disease and an additional 79 million at risk for type 2 diabetes, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. Recent estimates project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes. As Larry Hausner, CEO, American Diabetes Association explains, “It’s time to magnify the presence diabetes holds in the overall American consciousness.” While the Association has plans to highlight compelling content throughout the month, this week its focus is on those who dedicate their time to advocate for the rights of individuals with diabetes. Featured Stop Diabetes advocates include: Jeff Kapche who paved the way for fair treatment of workers with diabetes, first ending a blanket ban that said no one with diabetes need apply at his local police department and then taking on the FBI. Madi Dodge, the Association’s 2011 National Youth Advocate, who travels the country to discuss the challenges she faces as a young person living with type 1 and the essential role of Diabetes Advocates in stopping diabetes. Francisco Prieto, M.D. who fights for safety and fairness for children with diabetes through the Association’s Safe at School Campaign. He meets with government officials, health organizations, and the media to talk about the dire situation of California students who don’t have access to insulin at school. If you’re looking for more information on American Diabetes Month, advocates or the latest diabetes facts, research and stats, please contact Colleen Fogarty at cfogarty@diabetes.org or (703) 549-1500 ext. 2146 or Kayla Gorski at kgorski@mullen.com or (617) 226-9926. Posted 8/10/2011 US Navy sets a new course concerning diabetes! I wanted to pass along some really good news regarding an outcome achieved yesterday with the Navy. A young woman ADA has been helping, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes this past winter in the middle of her first year as a midshipman at the Naval Academy, was told she would have to leave the Academy because of her diagnosis. Yesterday we were informed that she has been found fit for duty and would be permitted to stay at the Academy to finish her education, without the need for an in-person formal medical board. The three-person board found that her petition for reconsideration warranted deviation from the Initial Physical Evaluation Board’s findings and that she was fit for continued Naval service. Like all midshipman, she will have to face a commissioning physical during her junior/senior year, and at that point she will likely be similarly positioned to argue that her diabetes poses no barriers to her service. This is an astonishing result, given how readily the military kicks out people with diabetes, how antiquated their diabetes standards and perceptions are, and how hard it was going to be to convince the Naval Academy to give this woman a chance – free education and all – after she had completed just one year of school with no promise that she could be commissioned at the end. Her JAG lawyer filed the petition for reconsideration as a matter of course, and not because he expected this result. This woman had put together a really strong package of information that she submitted in advance to the board members, including information about her diabetes, her first year commendations, and information about other people with diabetes who have met the challenge of the military and high-level athletics. We had two physicians lined up to testify on her behalf – an endocrinologist from Georgetown and her treating endocrinologist from the Naval Medical Center – but very little in writing from them because we all felt their in-person testimony would be more meaningful. Although these medical board decisions do not create legal precedence in the traditional sense, I think this could be instructive for future cases, and filing a petition for reconsideration with strong documentation could make a real difference. Posted 8/9/2011 National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities Agreement Signed I am thrilled to announce that the American Diabetes Association, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of the Secretary (OS), and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) have agreed to co-sponsor the National Partnership for Action (NPA) to End Health Disparities in an effort to reduce the incidence of amputations due to diabetes and their disparate impact on socially and economically disadvantaged populations. Major lower extremity amputations due to diabetes are more common in men, specifically African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. While this may in part be due to differences in risk- factor control in different populations, research has shown that medical care disparities play a significant role. The three-year co-sponsorship agreement aims to attain the following key goals: • Increase diabetes awareness of preventive self-care behaviors through targeted community awareness and patient education programs. • Increase the knowledge and skills of primary care providers to provide appropriate counseling and early treatment of minor foot problems. • Increase access to foot care specialists and proper footwear. • Ensure access to and adequate coverage for foot-conserving treatments. • Give appropriate attention to risk factor control (blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids, tobacco cessation) to prevent amputations and other diabetes-related complications. On a broader level, the NPA seeks to 1) improve awareness about health disparities; 2) broaden and strengthen leadership for addressing health disparities at all levels and across sectors; 3) improve health care and health system experience for racial and ethnic minorities; 4) improve cultural and linguistic competency; and 5) improve the use of research, data, and evaluation outcomes. Implementing the NPA As part of the three-year agreement, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the American Diabetes Association will collaborate on and partake in various promotional and educational activities. OMH will engage the American Diabetes Association in NPA activities; share tools, programs, and information sources to help develop publications and products that support the Association's information needs; establish a link on the NPA website to diabetes.org providing information on factors contributing to health disparities in those who have diabetes and best practices that may improve outcomes for racial, ethnic and underserved populations; include the Association in opportunities to work with national organizations; help develop/enhance regional and national metrics around diabetes-related foot care; and include the Association as a co-sponsor of OMH national leadership summits as well as regional meetings/initiatives. The American Diabetes Association will include a goal to reduce disparities in amputations in our 2012-2015 Strategic Plan; craft appropriate messaging to communities and people with diabetes featuring specifics steps they can take to 'stay on their own two feet' including web content, brochures and PSAs; advocate for access and coverage for prevention of foot ulcers through implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and advocate for access and coverage for foot-conserving therapy for major foot problems; expand implementation of our community program modules that focus on foot care such as 'Just a Touch' (Live Empowered) and 'Stay in Touch' (Por tu Familia); include amputation prevention in the Association's professional education offerings; highlight amputation prevention at professional conferences; work with quality of care organizations toward performance measures around lower extremity amputation prevention; and incorporate Association foot screening/risk assessment guidelines into Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools for use in electronic health records and point of care decision-making. Many thanks to Larry Hausner, CEO, for his crucial leadership role in supporting and executing this agreement. Other staff involved included: Sue Kirkman, M.D., SVP, Medical Affairs & Community Information and Acting Chief Medical Officer, (who played a significant role in developing the agreement’s core scientific deliverables); Shereen Arent, EVP, Government Affairs & Advocacy; Paulina Duker, Managing Director, Scientific and Medical; Regan Minners, Director, Prevention Initiatives; Christine Feheley, Managing Director, Communications; Andrea Maddox- Smith, SVP, Key Market East/Field Programs; and Lois Witkop, SVP, Marketing Communications. This agreement marks a critical step in the Association's ongoing efforts to address and eliminate health disparities and improve diabetes research, treatment and education in minority populations. After the tactical components are finalized, additional information will be provided regarding how your market may get involved in some of the above mentioned activities. In the interim, if you have any questions, please contact me at ihunter@diabetes.org or ext. 2040. Sincerely, Iris Hunter Vice President, High Risk Programs & Health Disparities and Special Liaison for Diversity Posted 8/2/2011 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced historic new guidelines yesterday that will ensure women receive screening for GDM during pregnancy with no cost sharing. As part of the Affordable Care Act, the Committee on Preventive Services for Women was convened by the Institute of Medicine and tasked with identifying gaps in screenings and services for women that should be considered in the development of comprehensive guidelines for preventive services for women. In March 2011, Dr. Sue Kirkman, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Community Information at the American Diabetes Association, testified before the Committee and urged them to include screening for GDM in their comprehensive guidelines. The Committee issued their final report which included eight specific recommendations on July 19th. The recommendation adopted by HHS requires screening for GDM in pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation and at the first prenatal visit for pregnant women identified to be at high risk for diabetes. Coverage for GDM screening with no cost sharing will be required for new health plans with plan years beginning on or after August 1, 2012. Today’s decision ensures that millions of American women will have coverage for this important screening which will help both mother and child receive proper early treatment for gestational diabetes, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Improving public health research and surveillance of GDM is an important priority for the Association. In June 2011, we co-hosted an educational briefing on Capitol Hill with the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Quest Diagnostics. The briefing was held in conjunction with the reintroduction of the “Gestational Diabetes Act of 2011” sponsored by Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME). The legislation seeks to reduce the incidence of GDM and provides for the development of a multisite gestational diabetes research project within the diabetes program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which will track mothers who have had GDM and support prevention programs to keep these women from developing type 2 diabetes later in life. These two efforts combined, the HHS decision and the GDM legislation, go a long way in our efforts. For additional information HHS Gestational Diabetes Press Release IOM Committee Report Thank you for your support! ------ __o ----_`\<,_ ---(_)/ (_) * * * * * * * * John McBride Team Captain, Miles for Michelle 732-991-0046 |
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