[acb-diabetics] Diabetes legislation

[Patricia LaFrance-Wolf]

Very interesting article, Nancy.  Thank you.

 

  _____  

From: acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-diabetics-bounces at acb.org]
On Behalf Of Nancy Matulis
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 7:26 AM
To: acb-diabetics at acb.org
Subject: [acb-diabetics] Diabetes legislation

 


AACE Applauds Introduction of New Diabetes Legislation in the U.S. Senate


Posted by dlife on Wed, Aug 8, 12, 14:02 PM 1 Comment

August 8, 2012 ( <https://www.aace.com/current-news> AACE) - The American
Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) applauds today's
introduction of a new Act in the U. S. Senate entitled "The National
Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act." Introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen
(D-NH) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the Co-Chairs of the Senate
Diabetes Caucus, this legislation will establish a commission comprised of
private and public sector members. This commission will evaluate all of the
government's current approaches to diabetes care and provide recommendations
on improvements, integration and on new approaches to this public health
menace.

Diabetes is one of the most significant and challenging public health issues
of our time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports
there are 26 million Americans with diabetes and 79 million Americans with
pre-diabetes. These statistics represent an increase of 2 million Americans
with diabetes and 22 million Americans with pre-diabetes in the last three
years alone. Pre-diabetes is a condition that is known to progress to
diabetes without early intervention.

If current trends continue, the diabetes epidemic will only grow worse.
According to the CDC, one of three American children born in 2000 will
develop diabetes in their lifetime.

Diabetes is extracting a devastating economic toll on the nation as a
gateway disease to other very serious medical complications associated with
the progression of diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney
failure, new cases of blindness and lower-limb amputations. Currently the
nation spends over $174 billion on diabetes each year, including one out of
every three Medicare dollars.

The National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission as established in the Senate
bill will be comprised of diabetes experts, including endocrinologists and
other health care providers who work directly with diabetes patients,
patient advocates, and representatives from federal agencies most involved
in diabetes care activities. The Commission will evaluate current federal
quality improvement initiatives and identify redundant and ineffective
policies and determine which policies are effective as well as those deemed
ineffective regarding care for people with diabetes. The Commission will
make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to
the Congress on new approaches and the consolidation of existing approaches
that will help leverage the federal investment in diabetes research to
improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of the disease.

"There is a recognition in the diabetes community that continuation of the
status quo is unacceptable. Doing nothing or even doing more of the same
will not reverse the arc of worsening diabetes prevalence and complications
which will ultimately overwhelm the entire healthcare system with
devastating numbers of patients with this disease alone," said . Alan
Garber, M.D., Ph.D., President of the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists.

"AACE believes the National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission is a
significant first step in the nation's battle against diabetes and its
consequences," Garber added. "AACE is pleased to work with our colleagues in
the diabetes community and the Co-Chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus to
advance this important initiative." Garber noted that all of the major
diabetes organizations have endorsed the Senate legislation. In addition to
AACE, the Senate bill is supported by the American Diabetes Association,
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Pediatric Endocrine Society, The
Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act was also introduced by
Congressman Pete Olson (R-22-TX) last September in the U.S. House of
Representatives. HR 2960 currently has 26 co-sponsors, with many being
members of the Physician Caucus.

About the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more
than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the
largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world. The majority
of AACE members are certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism and
concentrate on the treatment of patients with endocrine and metabolic
disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth
hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity.

 

Nancy Matulis

Community Volunteer

Sent from my I pad

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