This spring, the US-based Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) delivered policy briefings for federal policymakers in Washington DC, highlighting diabetes community needs through the voice of patients, caregivers and clinicians.
Presentations addressed gaps in access and affordability of diabetes treatment and innovation, and the landscape of actionable solutions for the new Congress.
In March, DLC brought together panels of volunteer leaders to share their personal experiences with challenges facing people with diabetes in America. This event was held in coordination with the US Congressional Diabetes Caucus so policymakers and staff could hear directly from people impacted by diabetes talking about insulin affordability, Medicare coverage, technology access, and the complex US health insurance system. DLC’s volunteer leaders underscored important patient-cantered policy solutions Congress could consider in the new session.
CAPTION: DLC Chief Policy Officer Erika Emerson offers patient-first policy solutions to members of U.S. Congress when presenting in Washington DC.
Recognizing the impact of the March briefing, in May the Congressional Diabetes Caucus invited DLC and the Endocrine Society, a national medical society, to give a focused presentation for Congressional health staffers on insulin access and affordability. This program shared patient and provider perspectives on insulin use, production, and pricing; the impact of recent insulin manufacturer price reductions; and factors driving up costs for insulin and other prescriptions in the US.
Both briefings served to educate federal policymakers on the impact of diabetes in the United States through constituent perspectives and to offer policy solutions to improve the lives of those impacted by diabetes, its onset and complications.
Advocacy Action: Working with a national diabetes association to run informative sessions, policy briefings or first-hand presentations, can help you to involve more members of your legislature, either directly or via their staff and advisors.