Hot Off the Press: Advocacy News
For the latest advocacy news from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), please check this section of our website regularly.
Inflation Reduction Act Letter Signed by the ADA and Other Diabetes Groups in Favor of $35 Insulin Co-pay Cap
The ADA, along with 10 other diabetes organizations, sent a letter to Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell urging support of out-of-pocket cap on insulin in the Inflation Reduction Act.
The ADA's Statement for the Senate Finance Committee Hearing: “Prescription Drug Price Inflation: An Urgent Need to Lower Drug Prices in Medicare”
Lisa Murdock, chief advocacy officer for the ADA, submitted a statement for the record to the Senate Finance Committee hearing on prescription drug costs in Medicare.
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The Diabetes Community Implores Senator Manchin To Support the Swift Passage of a National Insulin Co-Pay Cap
The ADA, along with 15 other organizations, sent a letter to Senator Joe Manchin urging support for a national insulin co-pay cap.
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Health Equity and Diabetes Technology: A Study of Access to Continuous Glucose Monitors by Payer and Race Executive Summary
38 million Americans live in poverty, and 76 percent of Americans living in poverty are people of color. Diabetes prevalence is inversely related to household income level, with the poorest communities seeing the highest rates of the condition.
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Statement From the American Diabetes Association to the Office of Management and Budget on How the Federal Government Can More Equitably Serve All Americans, Particularly Those Who Are Underserved
On July 6, the ADA submitted a response to the United States Office of Management and Budget, Request for Information: Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through Government.
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Statement for the Record: Senate HELP Committee, Primary Health and Retirement Security Subcommittee Hearing: “Why Does the U.S. Pay the Highest Prices in the World for Prescription Drugs?”
Tracey D. Brown, former CEO for the ADA submitted a statement for the record to the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security for their March 23 hearing on prescription drug costs.
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A Message from Our Former CEO: Communities Most at Risk from COVID Still Least Likely to Get Vaccinated
Former Chief Executive Officer, Tracey D. Brown, made the following statement regarding the urgent need for Black communities to gain access to the vaccine distribution currently underway in communities across the country.
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Diabetes Community Secures Major Benefits in COVID-19 Rescue Plan
The House passed a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package, the American Rescue Plan, and it’s on its way to the President’s desk for signature. Here, we explain what this means for people living with diabetes.
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ADA Letter to the ACIP: Prioritize People Living with Type 1 AND Type 2 Diabetes in the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
On Monday, March 1, 2021, the ADA, along with 14 other organizations, sent a letter to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the advisory entity that informs the CDC on the COVID-19 vaccine.
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An Open Letter on Health Disparities to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Members of your National Health Care Team
As Black female CEOs of some of the nation's leading health care organizations, we share your priority to get the pandemic under control through the safe, free, and equitable distribution of vaccines. COVID-19 continues to serve as a stark reminder of the racial disparities that exist in our health care system.
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COVID-19 Relief Package: ADA Letter to Congressional Leadership
On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, former CEO for the ADA, Tracey D. Brown sent a letter to congressional leadership outlining priorities for people with diabetes in the COVID-19 relief package currently being negotiated.
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Time to Bridge the Gap, Demand Diabetes Care Equity
Much like other medical advances, access to diabetes technologies often depends on your ZIP code, income bracket, or skin color. Black children with type 1 diabetes are almost four times less likely to use an insulin pump than their white peers. Considering all factors, it should come as no surprise that Black Americans die of diabetes at double the rate of white Americans. Authored by Tracey D. Brown and Jared Watkin.
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The 34 million Americans who should be among the first to access a COVID-19 vaccine
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our leaders in science, industry, and government who are working to bring a safe and effective vaccine to market in record time, there may be a light at the end of this very dark tunnel. But we are not quite there, and if we are to reach that point once a safe, effective vaccine does—with hope—emerge, we must have a plan to administer the vaccine where it can do the most good first.
Preserving the Affordable Care Act is Crucial to People with Diabetes
In 2010, Congress passed landmark legislation—the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)—that vastly improved health care coverage and quality for millions of Americans, particularly those otherwise uninsured. As the Supreme Court yet again takes up an existential question about the constitutionality of the ACA, its future is at best uncertain. This threat is grave for people with diabetes.
Patient Groups Call on Nation’s Governors to Ensure Safety of All Voters, Including Those with Chronic Diseases
On Friday, October 2, 2020, the ADA and 25 patient organization sent a letter to all 50 state governors, the National Governors Association, National Association of Secretaries of States, and the National Conference of State Legislators encouraging governors to take steps to ensure that the most vulnerable populations maintain the ability to exercise their right to vote.
Kira Fonteneau: Access to Voting Shouldn’t Depend on the Color of Your Skin or Your Health
The ability to vote safely in Alabama shouldn’t depend on the color of your skin or your socioeconomic status—and we can’t let it. Let’s do better.
USPS Delays: Letter to Postmaster DeJoy
Twenty organizations advocate on behalf 133 million Americans with chronic conditions.
The Orlando Sentinel Op-Ed: We must be ready to help high-risk communities in pandemic and beyond
Authored by Dr. Otis Kirksey, director of pharmacy services for Neighborhood Medical Center in Tallahassee and Tracey D. Brown, former CEO for the ADA.
Letter to Congressional Leaders Calling for Increased COVID-19 Testing in Vulnerable Communities
Over 100 leading advocacy groups demand Congress address lack of COVID-19 testing in nation’s underserved communities.
The Baltimore Sun Op-Ed: More Accessible Testing Needed in Maryland’s Hardest Hit Communities
Authored by Dr. Sherita Golden (ADA Board Member) and former CEO, Tracey D. Brown.
The Cost of Diabetes
The national cost of diabetes in the U.S. has risen to $327 billion in 2017, up from $245 billion in 2012.
Statistics About Diabetes
The numbers associated with diabetes make a strong case for devoting more resources to finding a cure.