Warner, others introduce bill to expand access to diabetes-prevention programming
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During Minority Health Month, Virginia Senator Mark Warner is helping to introduce a bill that seeks to expand access to diabetes-prevention programming.
The PREVENT DIABETES Act would make diabetes prevention care for those on Medicare permanent and more accessible online in order to help address widespread disparities in access to diabetes care in medically underserved communities, including Black and Latino communities and rural areas. Warner joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida) and Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) to introduce the legislation.
“As the father of a Type 1 diabetic, I know how important consistent and reliable care is for patients’ health, but too many Virginians still struggle to get the care they deserve. This legislation will save lives by expanding access to diabetes prevention programs virtually,” said Warner.
To expand access to diabetes prevention programs, the PREVENT DIABETES Act would make permanent the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, which is currently a demonstration program. The MDPP leverages evidence-based interventions to prevent the full onset of Type 2 diabetes in at-risk Medicare beneficiaries. The legislation also would make the program more accessible by allowing virtual suppliers to participate.
In October 2019, Warner and Scott wrote to then-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging him to expand the program by administrative action. The senators wrote another letter in April of 2020, requesting that beneficiaries be allowed to access the program via a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS temporarily allowed individuals to access the program via a virtual platform, but that administrative change still excludes a number of providers and does not ensure long-term access to a virtual benefit, Warner said.As part of their efforts to craft a framework of solutions, Warner and Scott introduced the PREVENT DIABETES Act in 2020 and again in 2021. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by Bilirakis and DeGette.
