Senators Collins, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Medicare Beneficiaries’ Access to Diabetes Treatments and Education
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are introducing new, bipartisan legislation, the Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology and Education Services (DIABETES) Act, to improve access to diabetes treatments and respond to the ongoing need for diabetes technology education among Medicare beneficiaries.
“Delays or disruptions to coverage of diabetes technologies can significantly diminish patient health, particularly for those enrolling in Medicare,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would streamline coverage for insulin pumps and expand education and training for patients and providers, improving care for individuals managing diabetes.”
“Far too often, Medicare beneficiaries have to jump through hoops to access life-saving diabetes care or are forced to change treatments simply because of outdated coverage requirements,” said Senator Shaheen. “This bill would improve access to supportive services, eliminate disruptions in coverage and remove significant obstacles so that those on Medicare can continue with the treatment regimens that work best for them.”
“For too long, Americans with diabetes have been frustrated in trying to access diabetes care that works for them. For the thirty two percent of Medicare beneficiaries who have diabetes, they need access the care that works for them, ranging from pharmaceutical and technological interventions to behavioral interventions, like diabetes self-management training. This is essential since individuals experience their diabetes uniquely. This bill would dramatically improve access to diabetes care for our seniors, and DTAC applauds Senators Shaheen and Collins for their leadership and commitment to ensuring that all individuals have access to a comprehensive and flexible set of diabetes treatment options,” said Tim Trysla, Executive Director of the Diabetes Technology Access Coalition.
As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Shaheen and Collins recently delivered remarks on the U.S. Senate floor to recognize American Diabetes Month and to push for the passage of their bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act, which would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans.
Last summer, Shaheen and Collins introduced the Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen vital type 1 diabetes research. In March, Senators Collins and Shaheen secured a short-term reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) through the end of 2024. Earlier this month, the senators led a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership emphasizing the importance of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) that was signed by a total of 55 Senators.
The Senators also introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act, to improve early detection and screening for type 1 diabetes.
The bill has been endorsed by the Diabetes Technology Access Coalition and the American Diabetes Association.
A copy of the bill text can be found here.
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