Diabetes Caucus Legislation

H.R. 2787, the Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2011.  The bill would make a technical clarification to recognize certified diabetes educators (CDE) as providers for Medicare diabetes outpatient self-management training services (DSMT).  CDEs are the only health professionals who are specially trained and uniquely qualified to teach patients with diabetes how to improve their health and avoid serious diabetes-related complications.  The 1997 authorizing DSMT statute did not include CDEs as Medicare providers and it has become increasingly difficult to ensure that DSMT is available to patients who need these services, particularly those with unique cultural needs or who reside in rural areas.  The bill currently has 10 cosponsors.

H.R. 2741, the Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2011.  The bill would extend Medicare coverage to medical nutrition therapy services for people with prediabetes and other risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Under current law, Medicare pays for MNT provided by a Registered Dietitian for beneficiaries with diabetes and renal diseases.  Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover MNT for beneficiaries diagnosed as having prediabetes.  Nutrition therapy services have proven very effective in preventing diabetes by providing access to the best possible nutritional advice about how to handle their condition.  By helping people with prediabetes manage their condition, Medicare will avoid having to pay for the much more expensive treatment of diabetes.  The bill currently has one cosponsor.

H.R. 3150, the Medicare Safe Needle Disposal Coverage Act of 2011. The bill would provide Medicare Part D coverage of needle disposal supplies such as sharps containers or other destruction devices. The legislation would protect type 1 and type 2 insulin-dependent Medicare diabetes patients as well as caregivers and handlers of waste from accidental needle-stick injuries 

Diabetes Legislation Sponsored by Caucus Members
H.R. 3364, the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act (Rep. Lee Terry).  The Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act amends title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians, ensuring that Medicaid beneficiaries have access to appropriate quality foot and ankle care.

H.R. 2194, the Gestational Diabetes Act (GEDI Act) (Rep. Eliot Engel).  The GEDI Act aims to lower the incidence of gestational diabetes and prevent women afflicted with this condition and their children from developing Type 2 diabetes. This legislation:

• Creates a Research Advisory Committee headed by CDC to develop multi-site gestational diabetes research projects to enhance surveillance
• Provides demonstration grants to focus on reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes
• Expands basic, clinical and public health research investigating gestational diabetes and current treatments and therapies

H.R. 2799, the Minority Diabetes Initiative Act (Rep. Maxine Waters).  The Minority Diabetes Initiative establishes grants to health care providers for diabetes prevention, care, and treatment programs in minority communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the disease. The initiative would provide grants for a variety of diabetes-related health services, including public education on diabetes prevention and control, routine health care for diabetic patients, eye care, foot care, and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes. Grant recipients would be required to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and conduct outreach activities to let eligible individuals know that services are available.

H.R. 2960, the National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act (Rep. Pete Olson).  The National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act establishes a National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission comprised of diabetes experts to provide a mechanism for federal engagement with professionals and advocates who will bring clinical expertise to implementing initiatives intended to improve diabetes care. 

H.R. 2954, the Health Equity and Accountability Act (Rep. Barbara Lee).  The Health Equity and Accountability Act improves and guides federal efforts in the following vital areas: data collection and reporting; culturally and linguistically appropriate health care; health workforce diversity, improvement of health outcomes for women, children and families; mental health; high impact minority diseases (hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer); health information technology; emboldened accountability and evaluation; and, addressing social determinants of health.