On May 6, 2014, the Society held a clinician Hill Day to build support for a variety of advocacy issues related to diabetes, obesity, and physician reimbursement. Members of the Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee and the Clinical Affairs Core Committee came to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional offices about the importance of increased funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program, coverage of lifestyle intervention programs and chronic weight management drugs for seniors with obesity, and a permanent fix to the flawed sustainable growth-rate formula. This successful endeavor followed an equally successful researcher Hill Day in April.
During the clinician visits, Society members urged members of Congress to appropriate $20 million in FY 2015 for the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) and to expand coverage of the program to the Medicare population by supporting the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act. The NDPP has been proven to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle intervention programs that promote moderate weight loss and regular physical activity.
Society members also educated members of Congress about the importance of addressing the obesity epidemic by supporting the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which provides a pathway for Medicare coverage of lifestyle intervention programs and chronic weight management drugs for individuals with at least one comorbidity. These meetings also addressed the critical nature of passing a permanent solution to the flawed sustainable growth rate formula that threatens physicians with double-digit cuts each year.
By holding separate visits for our constituencies, we make more effective use of our opportunities to talk with policy makers about issues that are important to our members. We look forward to holding future Capitol Hill Days, and we hope you will join us at these events.
— Dyer is associate director, health policy, of the Endocrine Society.
Loading ...