Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provide critical access to care, medications, diabetes technology, and groceries for people with diabetes
Today, Charles “Chuck” Henderson, chief executive officer at the American Diabetes Association® (ADA), issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of its reconciliation bill that would make substantial changes and cuts to critical federal health care and nutrition assistance programs.
“The ADA is deeply concerned by the Senate’s changes to H.R. 1. If enacted, the bill would implement devastating cuts to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplace and premium tax credits, and hunger and nutrition assistance programs. These changes would result in harmful and drastic health care coverage losses for more than 11.8 million hardworking Americans who rely on Medicaid, and additional losses for those enrolled in ACA health exchanges in the next decade. People with diabetes and other costly chronic health conditions often rely on Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA health insurance exchanges to access their medical care and medications to manage their conditions. Unfortunately, the Senate’s revisions to H.R. 1 put health care and nutrition programs further out of reach for millions more Americans and families who need them most. Under the Senate-passed bill, financing structures for Medicaid and SNAP would be significantly altered, shifting more costs to states and seriously jeopardizing health care access and nutrition assistance for millions of people with diabetes. As the House considers this legislation, the ADA strongly encourages members of Congress to support policies that strengthen safety net programs overall, and to ensure that all individuals and families with low incomes—particularly those living with chronic conditions like diabetes—can receive the health care and nutrition they need to live and manage their disease.”
Background
On July 1, the Senate passed H.R. 1. The legislation makes significant changes to the bill passed by the House of Representatives in May. Disappointingly, the Senate-passed bill would increase health care coverage losses in Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA insurance marketplaces. The bill, if enacted, would undermine the critical improvements to health care coverage and access achieved, and put individuals with chronic and costly conditions like diabetes at risk.
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to end diabetes and helping people thrive. This year, the ADA celebrates 85 years of driving discovery and research to prevent, manage, treat, and ultimately cure diabetes—and we’re not stopping. There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Through advocacy, program development, and education, we’re fighting for them all. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383). Join us in the fight on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). To learn more about how we are advocating for everyone affected by diabetes, visit us on X (@AmDiabetesAssn).
