State Legislation Still Needs Your Attention
The debates are over, the election will be soon, but the work of state and federal government continues. The present session (189th) of the Massachusetts legislature will end December 31st. If bills have not been passed by then, they “die” and must be reintroduced in the new session, the 190th. Each session runs for 2 years.
An important bill (HR 3871) is being considered by our state Senate Ways and Means committee. The bill would require the Commissioner of public health to establish within the department a diabetes action plan. The plan would identify goals to reduce the prevalence and impact of diabetes in state, and state agencies and department plans to decrease the incidence of diabetes, improve diabetes care and control complications of diabetes. In addition, the Department of Public health, Medicaide, and the agency responsible for purchase of state employee health insurance will be required to present to the Legislature a report every other year that reflects the efforts of programs addressing diabetes.
The purpose would be to encourage those departments and agencies dealing with the disease to collaborate on documenting the current activities addressing the burden, and make recommendations on strategies that could potentially reduce the costs and burdens of diabetes.
In other states that have implemented this type of plan, it has been shown there is no additional financial concerns or additional cost to programs affected by the legislation.
I have recently met with the Karen Spilka, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee With me were advocacy representatives from the ADA and Massachusetts Medical Society. The purpose of our meeting was to inform Ms Spilka the purpose of the bill and the major impact it would have on the fight to improve the health of those with diabetes and prevent the development of diabetes in those persons with are at risk.
Chairwoman Spilka indicated she would look into the bill further. This is a positive outcome of the meeting but It would be very important for other senators to understand the impact of the bill on their constituents and hopefully pass it in committee. To that end I ask you to contact your state Senator to make them aware of the importance of this bill to the patients you care for with diabetes. It will be especially important they are on the Ways and Means committee.
I encourage the membership of the Massachusetts AADE consider contacting your state senators if this bill is important to you and your patients
Sherry Smith Ossman
Advocacy