Diabetes Day at the Capitol
The Kentucky Diabetes Network hosted Diabetes Day at the Capitol with the American Diabetes Association on February 21, 2019. Approximately 35 attendees were present. The agenda included the following speakers and topics:
- Dr. Connie White, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Health
- Representative Danny Bentley PharmD. explaining HB 64
- Jenny Goins, Deputy Commissioner of Employee Insurance discussing Kentucky Employee Health Plan success stories
- Bob Babbage discussing the importance of visiting and discussion of the bills
- Rhiannon and Brooklyn Reams discussing their personal experience at Camp Hendon
Each participant gave their legislator a packet which included information regarding the KDN, information regarding diabetes, bills and resolutions KDN supported, and a thank you note to each legislator for their past support for designating state funds for diabetes prevention and control efforts.
The following bills and resolutions were supported by KDN:
SJR 7: A joint resolution directing the Department for Medicaid Services to study the potential impacts of implementing programs similar to the Kentucky Employees' Health Plan's Diabetes Value Benefit plan and Diabetes Prevention Program for Medicaid beneficiaries in the Commonwealth.
SCR 6: Urge all private health insurance providers doing business in Kentucky to study the potential impacts of implementing programs similar to the Kentucky Employees' Health Plan's Diabetes Value Benefit plan and Diabetes Prevention Program and to implement similar programs if the results of their studies indicate a likelihood of cost savings or improved client health outcomes.
HB 88: Create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to establish the goal of increasing time for physical activity to 20 minutes per day or 100 minutes per week in all schools with kindergarten through grade 5 by November 1, 2020; require the Kentucky Department of Education to identify model programs, provide resources and assessment tools, develop a checklist for collecting data for public reporting, encourage physical activity plans in schools containing grades 6 through 8, report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education and the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare and Family Services by December 1, 2019, and annually thereafter on progress toward meeting the goal, and share aggregate school district and county data with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
The following two bills were discussed with the legislators at the participants’ discretion:
HB 64: Amend KRS 217.215 to permit pharmacists to dispense a prescription refill in an amount equal to the standard unit of dispensing for the drug without authorization by the prescribing practitioner in emergency situations in which such authorization may not be readily or easily obtained; require the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out these provisions.
HB 49: Amend KRS 211.755 to establish that a mother breast-feeding a child or expressing milk in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be shall report any violations to the local health department, independent health department, or county health department, having jurisdiction for the county in which the violation occurred; require the local health department, independent health department, or county health department to conduct an investigation of any reported violation; amend KRS 211.990 to establish a fine of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense for any person or municipality that violates KRS 211.755(2) or (3).
The following bill and resolution were passed and signed by the Governor:
HB 64: Amend KRS 217.215 to permit pharmacists to dispense a prescription refill in an amount equal to the standard unit of dispensing for the drug without authorization by the prescribing practitioner in emergency situations in which such authorization may not be readily or easily obtained; require the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out these provisions.
SJR 7: A joint resolution directing the Department for Medicaid Services to study the potential impacts of implementing programs similar to the Kentucky Employees' Health Plan's Diabetes Value Benefit plan and Diabetes Prevention Program for Medicaid beneficiaries in the Commonwealth.
Thank you to everyone for a successful Diabetes Day at the Capitol.
Submitted by Betty Bryan, BSN, RNC-AWHC, MLDE, CDE
Kentucky Grassroots Leader