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The U.S. Senate is now considering legislation that could impact the health care of tens of millions of Americans, including a significant number of persons with or at risk for diabetes.

As you are likely aware, in May the US House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA). It is now up to the US Senate to revise this legislation before it can potentially become law.

Estimates from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, state that AHCA (as passed by the House) could leave 23 million more Americans without health coverage within 10 years. It cuts billions of dollars from the Medicaid program and erodes essential protections for older and sicker patients and those with pre-existing conditions, including diabetes.

AADE urges you to reach out to your US Senators to ask them to reset the discussion surrounding health reform, and ensure any enacted legislation protects health coverage for as many Americans as possible, especially those with chronic health conditions like diabetes.

Diabetes educators understand the importance of this healthcare debate and the impact that health coverage can have for people with diabetes. Lack of coverage and cost of care are often the factors determining how successfully a person with diabetes can self-manage their disease.

Take Action

As the Senate considers the changes it would like to make to the AHCA, AADE asks all members to contact their senators and urge them to only support health reform legislation that reinforces our health reform principles, outlined here.

We hope you will take 5 minutes to make your voice heard during the healthcare reform debate. If we don't speak up for diabetes educators and diabetes education, nobody else will.

Emailing your senators is easy.

1. Click here to be taken to a web page with a prepared message.

2. Enter your email address, zip code and mailing address. This will help ensure your message goes to the correct senators' offices.

3. Once you enter your information, click the "send message" box.

Together as partners and advocates, we can help ensure continued access to quality healthcare services.

Contact AADE Advocacy Coordinator Ashley Urisman at aurisman@aadenet.org if you have questions or need assistance.

Read more on the impact the House-passed version of AHCA can have on persons with diabetes.