This month Congress took one step closer to making changes to the health care system that can have a real benefit for people with diabetes. Draft health care reform bills have now passed through the committee process in both the House and the Senate.
The next step is for the Senate to combine its versions of health care reform legislation into one bill and vote on it, and for the House of Representatives to do the same. Please join me in sending a strong message that the time for health reform that considers the needs of people with diabetes is now.
We all need to contact our Members of Congress and ask them to pass health reform that is meaningful and affordable for people with diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association is meeting with Members of Congress and their staff every day, fighting to make sure that health care reform meets the needs of people with diabetes. Where we stand on health care reform is simple:
* People with diabetes should not be denied health insurance coverage, lose their coverage, or have to pay higher premiums because of their health status.
* Health insurance must include essential health care services for people with diabetes and reasonable limits on annual out-of-pocket costs to protect people with diabetes from financial hardship as a result of accessing critical care.
* Health reform must also move our country forward in preventing diabetes.
The bottom line: People with, and at risk for, diabetes, need access to the tools to prevent diabetes and its devastating complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and amputation.
Please ask your Members of Congress to ensure that health care reform meets the needs of people with diabetes.
Together, we can make a huge difference in the future health of people with diabetes.
Sincerely,
George Huntley
Chair, American Diabetes Association
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The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading 501(c)3 nonprofit charity providing diabetes research, information and advocacy.
You can contact the American Diabetes Association at:
1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
or
American Diabetes Association
ATTN: National Call Center
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311