The JDF Washington Report Vol. II, No. 7, March 19, 1999 Diabetes Funding Letter to Chairman Porter 244 Signatures! The Congressional Diabetes Caucus has circulated a letter to all Members of the House of Representatives (see WR: II, 6) urging their colleagues to sign a letter in support of increased federal funding for diabetes research. Based on recommendations by the Diabetes Research Working Group (DRWG), the letter outlines the need for $827 million for diabetes research for FY2000, up from $449 million appropriated in FY99. This letter will be delivered to Chairman John Porter (R-IL), who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, and Health and Human Services and Education on Tuesday, March 23. Diabetes Research Working Group to Brief Capitol Hill The Diabetes Research Working Group will participate in a special briefing hosted by Chairman John Edward Porter (R-IL) and the House Labor/HHS/Education Subcommittee on Appropriations. Chairman of the JDF Communications S. Robert Levine, M.D., will present JDF’s interpretation of the Congressionally mandated report. The Congressional Diabetes Caucus and other diabetes organizations will also participate in the briefing on Tuesday, March 23. See also, DRWG Strategic Research Plan Summary. Senator Collins Introduces Medicare Insulin Pump Bill Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the “Medicare Insulin Pump Coverage Act of 1999” on March 15, 1999. Medicare does not currently cover insulin pumps under any circumstance. Medicare now covers diabetes testing supplies, insulin and equipment. A growing number of private insurers are now including full or partial coverage for external insulin pumps. Senator Collins cited research from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showing significant delay or avoidance of diabetes complications through tight blood glucose control. Chair of JDF Government Relations Leah Mullin’s letter of support and thanks to Senator Collins was published in the Congressional Record. Congress Recognizes JDF Vermont Volunteer, Age 9 Philip Burgin-Young—a nine-year-old from Burlington, Vermont—sent a letter to Representative Bernard Sanders (I-VT) and Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and James Jeffords (R-VT). Representative Sanders was so moved by the letter, he submitted it to the Congressional Record on March 2, 1999. The Members sent Philip notes pledging their support for finding a cure for diabetes. We congratulate Philip on his successful advocacy at a very young age! After describing what Philip must go through daily living with diabetes, he concluded his letter by writing:
Help us Find Additional JDFADVOCATES We would like to substantially expand our list of e-mail advocates to ensure that even more people read these updates and help us achieve our goal of finding a cure for diabetes and its complications. To subscribe to the “JDF Washington Report” via e-mail, just send a note to join-jdfadvocates@lists.jdfcure.org. (See also The Top Ten To-Do’s for JDF Diabetes Advocates.)
|