For National Diabetes Awareness Month, Rep. Schrier and Diabetes Caucus Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Diabetes Care for Seniors

WASHINGTON, DC – Today U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) along with members of the Diabetes Caucus, introduced the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act that will make it easier for people with diabetes to access training to manage their blood glucose levels and prevent hospitalization.

"As someone who has managed my own Type-1 Diabetes for 36 years, I understand that it can be complicated. And if you get it wrong, it can be life-threatening," said Rep. Schrier. "I'm happy to work with the Diabetes Caucus to introduce this bipartisan bill during National Diabetes Awareness Month to remove barriers to self-management training. We know that self-management training helps people with diabetes live healthy lives and stay out of the hospital."

The Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act:

• Eliminates cost-sharing for diabetes self-management training (DSMT) so seniors do not face cost barriers to care
• Removes the deadline for DSMT, allowing seniors to use all 10 hours of training as they need it
• Makes it possible to receive Medical Nutrition Therapy services and DSMT together on the same day
• Expands providers who eligible to refer patients for DSMT services
• Creates a pilot program to test virtual DSMT

"We care about people who are living with diabetes and it is only fair that they have access to the knowledge and resources they need to manage their disease," said Diabetes Caucus Co-Chair, Rep. Tom Reed. "Medicare spends a third of its dollars on treating diabetes. Expanding access to diabetes self-management training is a common sense, bipartisan way to save taxpayer dollars, and most importantly, help people struggling with this condition."

"Nearly one-third of all adults in this country have either diabetes or prediabetes," said Rep. Diana DeGette, who co-chairs the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. "Studies have shown that by changing the way they eat and live, many people are able to prevent or delay the development of diabetes. While Medicare provides its beneficiaries a free training course to teach them ways to prevent and manage the disease, only a small percentage of beneficiaries take advantage of it. Our goal in expanding this important program is to make it more accessible to more people."

"As a physician, I've treated patients in the emergency department whose insulin levels fluctuated to life-threatening levels," said Dr. Raul Ruiz, Vice-Chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus. "The millions of Americans living with diabetes deserve access to education and disease management that can help them live healthy, productive lives. I am proud to cosponsor this common-sense legislation, which will empower patients to effectively manage their diabetes."

"This Diabetes Awareness Month, we are introducing legislation to empower Americans with diabetes to live full and healthy lives. More than 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, and the Expanding Access to Self-Management Training Act of 2021 would equip patients with the resources they need to make the health decisions that are right for them. By expanding access to diabetes self-management, we are putting patients at the center of their care," said Rep. Suzan DelBene.

"I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to improve outcomes for those living with diabetes. This legislation will equip patients with the education, tools, and support they need to manage their diabetes care. The United States continues to increase their spending on diabetes and The Expanding Access to Self-Management Training Act of 2021 will serve as a critical solution to the future of care," said Rep. David Schweikert.

"Diabetes affects just about every family here in Michigan and nationwide. More than 34 million Americans live with diabetes and some 88 million are managing a prediabetes diagnosis," said Rep. Fred Upton. "Fortunately, we know that folks can take a number of steps to manage this condition and lead a healthy lifestyle. This bipartisan legislation would expand access to critical diabetes self-management services that allow folks on Medicare to take control of their own wellbeing and have the peace of mind we all want in terms of our health. I would encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan bill and help get it signed into law for the millions of folks who would benefit from this program."

"We need to shift our health care economy to from a model focused only on sick care to one which prioritizes wellness and healthy lifestyles. Diabetes self-management training is an important tool for individuals with diabetes to manage their condition and live healthier, more fulfilled lives. Too often, seniors in the Medicare program don't have access to the same tools as individuals on private insurance. This bill will close that gap for diabetes self-management, and I'm proud to be co-leading along with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle," said Rep. Mike Kelly.

These changes in the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act will allow people living with diabetes to receive care earlier and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries living with diabetes have the tools to live full, healthy lives.

"The Diabetes Advocacy Alliance (DAA) applauds the sponsors of the Expanding Access to DSMT Act for introducing legislation that would provide improved and more equitable access to diabetes care for Medicare beneficiaries," said Hannah Martin, MPH, RDN, DAA co-chair. "DSMT services are shown to improve health outcomes, reduce complications and decrease health care costs, yet utilization around the current Medicare benefit for DSMT remains low."

"The current Medicare benefit for DSMT has been available to Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes for over 20 years, yet there are barriers that contribute to the utilization of the benefit," said Kate Thomas, DAA co-chair. "This legislation addresses these barriers and seeks to increase beneficiary access to diabetes services by making it easier for providers to refer for these services, reducing out of pocket costs for beneficiaries, and adding additional flexibilities to meet beneficiaries where they are with their self-management needs."

This legislation is supported by over 20 national organizations in the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance (DAA) including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Clinical Laboratory Association, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, American Optometric Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, American Telemedicine Association, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, Black Women's Health Imperative, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, Endocrine Society, Healthcare Leadership Council, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, National Community Pharmacists Association, National Council on Aging, National Kidney Foundation, Novo Nordisk Inc., Omada Health, Inc., Pediatric Endocrine Society, Quest Diagnostics, Teladoc Health, Inc., VSP® Vision Care, WW International, Inc. (formerly Weight Watchers), and YMCA of the USA