American Diabetes Association Urges Senators to Vote Against Proposed Health Care Legislation

ARLINGTON, Va. , June 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Diabetes Association has grave concerns about the impact the draft Senate health care bill will have on people with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes need access to continuous health care to effectively manage their disease and to prevent dangerous and costly complications. The proposed legislation could significantly limit access to care and yield increased costs for people with diabetes, and particularly for older Americans, who are at greater risk for diabetes. The bill also does not guarantee comprehensive coverage.

The Association is troubled by the proposed changes to Medicaid and the negative impact of these changes on low-income Americans, who are disproportionately affected by diabetes. In states that expanded their Medicaid programs, more individuals are being screened for diabetes than non-expansion states. Cuts to Medicaid would leave the most vulnerable individuals with or at risk for diabetes without the health coverage they need to be diagnosed and treated for the disease as early as possible.

As currently drafted, the Association cannot support this legislation. It falls far short of the minimum standards for replacing the important safeguards and coverage provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which the Association has outlined. We urge all Senators to vote no on this bill and to work toward meaningful legislation that will protect access to affordable and adequate health care coverage for people with diabetes.

About the American Diabetes Association
More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and every 23 seconds, another person is diagnosed with diabetes. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (Association) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the Association supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). 

SOURCE American Diabetes Association