Key Senate Vote
The Senate is expected to vote within the next 24 hours on whether to proceed with debating health care. This vote is not a vote for or against the specific provisions in this bill. This is a procedural vote on whether the Senate will even debate health care reform. The vote requires 60 Senators to vote in favor to allow the debate on health care reform to continue. We are optimistic that through an open debate, Senators will find common ground on meaningful reforms that make health care affordable, accessible, and adequate for all patients.
Please ask your Senators to vote to allow debate on the Protection and Affordable Care Act.
November 20, 2009
New Diabetes and Health Care Reform Report
U.S. Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius released a new report Preventing and Treating Diabetes: Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes in America. The report, issued during American Diabetes Month, explains the crucial need for health reform for people with and at risk for diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is very pleased with this report and agrees with its premise, which is that health reform is a critical step in stopping diabetes. It is time to bring parity and access to quality health care to all people with or at risk for diabetes. The health of all Americans is depending in it.
Read the complete report.
November 11, 2009
House Approves Health Reform Legislation
Late Saturday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) in a 220-215 vote. The bill will end discrimination against people with diabetes by prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to people with diabetes. It will eliminate annual and lifetime caps on benefits, limit out-of-pocket expenses, and provide subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford insurance. In addition, the bill provides resources to prevent diabetes through measures such as the creation of a Health and Wellness Fund and funding evidence-based workplace wellness programs.
See how your Member of Congress voted.
November 8, 2009
American Diabetes Association Supports the Affordable Health Care for America Act
The American Diabetes Association announces its support of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) and commends the House of Representatives for including provisions that will make health care more accessible to the millions of Americans with diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Read our letter of support.
November 5, 2009
Prevention and Wellness Press Conference
American Diabetes Association’s CEO Larry Hausner, joined Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and the National Association of City and County Health Officials for a press conference highlighting the importance of having prevention and wellness provisions in any health reform legislation that comes out of Congress.
November 4, 2009
Alternative Health Care Proposal Introduced
The “Common Sense Health Care Reform and Affordability Act,” was offered by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) as an alternative to the Tri-Committee bill that has been debated in the House. This proposal does not include a ban on denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
November 3, 2009
Merged House Bill Introduced
The “Affordable Health Care for America Act,” was introduced by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The new bill is a result of the consolidating the three bills that moved through the House Ways and Means, the Education and Labor, and the Energy and Commerce Committees. All of which had jurisdiction over this issue.
October 29, 2009
Listen to our Teleconference on Diabetes and Health Care Reform
Didn't have a chance to call-in to our teleconference? You can still listen to George Huntley as he answered your questions about what health care reform means for people with diabetes. Listen now.
September 17, 2009
New Video: Two Women, One Common Cause
Health care reform shouldn't be about politics — it should be about people. People like Bertha and C.J., two courageous women who shared their battles with diabetes in our new video. Watch now.
September 14, 2009
Separating Myth from Fact about Diabetes and Health Care Reform
The American Diabetes Association recognizes that there is a lot of information and opinions on health care reform. There are also some myths that need to be addressed and understood so that everyone can move on to the most important issue. Read about some of the myths and facts about health care reform.
August 18, 2009
State-by State Reports on Effects of Health Reform
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a series of reports which examine the health insurance system on a state-by-state basis. Each report outlines the effects of reform on areas such as premium increases and small businesses' access to insurance plans using state specific statistics.
August 8, 2009
Take Action in August!
Your Members of Congress are getting ready to come home and meet with constituents to hear what issues are important in your community. It's crucial that they understand how health care reform will impact people with diabetes. Click Here to learn how you can make your voice heard.
July 30, 2009
Senate to Push Health Care Vote Until After Recess
The Senate leadership has announced that the Senate will not vote on any health care reform bills until after Labor Day. House leadership is considering a similar move. This change makes the August recess a critical time for Diabetes Advocates to make sure Congress understands the importance of accessible, adequate and affordable health care.
July 23, 2009
President Holds Press Conference on Health Reform
In response to a question about reducing costs and expanding insurance coverage, President Obama talked about the savings we could get from a system where people could access affordable health care. "If we can get those people insured and instead of having a foot amputation, because of advanced diabetes, they’re getting a nutritionist who’s working with them, to make sure that they are keeping their diet where it needs to be, that’s going to save us all money in the long-term."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Presidents-Press-Conference-Full-Video/
July 22, 2009
Menu Labeling Included in Senate Bill
The House Energy and Commerce Committee accepted an amendment to the Affordable Health Choices Act that will require chain restaurants to list calories on menu boards and printed menus. Restaurants will also need to provide additional nutrition information, including carbohydrates, upon request. The Senate HELP bill already includes this provision. This information is crucial for individuals to be able to make the healthy choices that can prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications.
July 20, 2009
State Health Benefit Laws to Be Considered
The House Education and Labor Committee accepted an amendment to the Affordable Health Choices Act to require the health benefits advisory committee, which will recommend the essential minimum benefits package, to examine state benefit laws. This is important to people with diabetes because there are 46 states that have laws regarding coverage of diabetes supplies, education and medication.
July 17, 2009
HELP Committee Passes Health Reform Bill
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee bill passed the Affordable Health Choices Act. The Senate Finance Committee is also working on a health reform bill that has not yet been introduced.
July 15, 2009
House Health Reform Bill Introduced
Three committee in the U.S. House of Representatives - Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor - introduced the initial House version of health care reform bill, the Affordable Health Choices Act. Referred to as the Tri-committee bill, the bill currently includes a proposal that would guarantee that people cannot be denied insurance or charged a higher premium because they have diabetes. The proposal also includes a strong investment in prevention of chronic disease.
July 14, 2009
Senate HELP Committee Includes Independent Commission on Benefits Package
The Senate HELP Committee passed an amendment to the Affordable Health Choices Act, supported by the Association, which would create a temporary, independent commission to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the development of the essential benefits package.
July 14, 2009
Diabetes Prevention Included in Wellness & Prevention Program
The Senate HELP Committee included diabetes prevention on a list of items to be included under a wellness and prevention program included in the Affordable Health Choices Act.
July 14, 2009
Senate Finance Committee Begins Work on Health Care Reform
This week, the Senate Finance Committee will meet for the first time to consider Committee Chairman Max Baucus's (D-MT) health reform proposal.
September 22, 2009
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