Tagged: CGMSafely

Two Minute Diabetes Advocacy: #Vote4DM

If you have two minutes, you can make a difference for people with diabetes (even if YOU don’t have it). Got a Twitter handle? Have we got a deal for you…708615_95129272

It’s an exciting time of year! It’s football voting season. Congress seats will be up for grabs and we want to remind those currently in power that they can’t forget the millions of people with diabetes and their friends vote. And we want them to know what’s important.

You want your voice heard in Congress?

Then tell them to #Vote4DM.

There are three bills that are currently in play up on Capitol Hill:

S539/HR1074 - National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act

Did you know that there are 37 federal agencies that play some role in the prevention and treatment of diabetes?  (Have you ever worked with 37 people in one group? Try 37 agencies!!!) These agencies aren’t always working together, resulting in miscommunication (or lack of communication), reinventing the wheel, and wasting of resources.

The National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act will coordinate diabetes efforts. The Commission will include federal agency representatives, patients and health care providers, and will use existing funds at no extra cost to taxpayers to do its work.

S945/HR1274 - Access to Quality Diabetes Education Acts

This bill will increase access to diabetes self-management training (DSMT) by designating credentialed diabetes educators as certified providers for purposes of outpatient DSMT services under Medicare Part B. It’s “budget neutral“, meaning that the cost of the outpatient services will be offset by the savings provided with the program.

 S. 2689/HR5644 - Medicare CGM Access Act of 2014

Medicare does not currently cover CGM devices, leaving people over 65 with type 1 diabetes (T1D) without coverage for continuous glucose monitors. Did you know that right now, costs for a hypoglycemia inpatient admission average $17,564 per visit!?

Passage of the bill will facilitate Medicare coverage of CGMs, and help pave the way for the next generation of CGM-related technologies, such as artificial pancreas (AP) systems.

unnamed-3Here’s what you can do.

Participate in the two Tweet-Ins for #Vote4DM: a 24 hour Tweet-In beginning on 10/22 (Wednesday) at 8pm EST and then another 24 hour Tweet-In beginning on 10/29 at 8pm EST. (If you can’t make these times, you can still tweet these messages out. It’s just important that you tweet them!)

StripSafely‘s made it so incredibly easy for you to use the power of Twitter for good.

Let’s get a 100% #VOTE4DM from our Congressional representatives and vote diabetes out of office.

1. Find your representative in Congress easily by clicking on this link and entering your zip code. (Remember that name or keep that page open for your reference.)

2. Go to the StripSafely Twitter page and let the blitz begin. (Look! A football reference!)

  • You will send three Tweets per person on the list: One for each of the bills currently on the Hill.
  • We are either asking them to cosponsor the bill or thanking them for cosponsoring the bill.

Now:

  •  Tweet the Senate and House leadership and the Diabetes Caucus leadership, regardless of what state you live in.
  •  Tweet your state senator(s) and district representative. 

3. Share the StripSafely Twitter page with anyone who has diabetes or cares about someone with diabetes. (That means share with everyone you know.) Ask them to tweet. 

And that’s it. Mark the date and time in your calendar and help us raise awareness for these non-partisan bills that will help people with diabetes. Share this info with people via Facebook, Twitter, and emails. We would love to shake the Twitter tree and get Congress to see that we won’t be quiet anymore about keeping us safe!

 

Two Minute Diabetes Advocacy: CGM Medicare Coverage

708615_95129272It’s time to be a Two Minute Diabetes Advocate!

I’m keeping this short and sweet that you can understand the importance of this bill and take action on it in under two minutes.

Senate Bill: S.2689

‘Medicare CGM Access Act of 2014’

Even if you are a parent of a child with diabetes, this is an action you need to take. (This bill will eventually help with artificial pancreas systems, so it does matter to all of us.)

85% percent of Type 1s are adults. We’re living longer and with less complications. Many of us are headed for Medicare or are already there. It’s shocking to know that if you’re on Medicare, you are NOT covered for a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

Imagine having a technology that helps you and having it covered by your insurance - and then you can’t get the device or sensors covered because you’re on Medicare.

That’s not a world I want to live in.

So, we’re rising up to support those who can help get CGMs covered by Medicare: U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Here’s the press release about the introduction of the bill from JDRF. Lots of good info. 

What can you do?

JDRF is leading the campaign. They’ve set up a click to email campaign for your senators. All you do is fill out your info and add a personal message and send it on its way. So…

1) Click here and fill out the email form. 

2) Add your personal message. You can even copy and paste this:

I have diabetes and I am worried about my future. 

I am asking you for your support on this bill; your co-sponsorhip would be even better! Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) have been shown to help prevent hospitalizations and emergency room visits. To not permit coverage of this technology is fiscally irresponsible for Medicare, as it will save money in the long run. 

OR:

A loved one has diabetes and I am worried about their future. 

I am asking you for your support on this bill; your co-sponsorhip would be even better! Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) have been shown to help prevent hospitalizations and emergency room visits. To not permit coverage of this technology is fiscally irresponsible for Medicare, as it will save money in the long run. 

(Skip over the ‘print this message to personalize’ if you want.)

3) That’s it. Go back to your day.

If you’re feeling extra ambitious, share this post with your friends and family and help show the Senate that while this is NOT a cure, it will help those with diabetes live well until there is one. (Click on the email link below this post or share it on FB or Twitter…)

You can also sign this petition from JDRF to Medicare.

Bookmark CGMSafely.com - it’s the latest grassroots advocacy movement begun by the amazing Bennet. You’ll get the latest info and actions on CGM here.