The Advocacy Forum in Chicago presented this May, 2016 was very interesting and focused on passing meaningful legislation at the State and Federal Levels.
The primary legislative bill is the Access to Quality Diabetes Education Act of 2015 (HR1726.S. 1345)- which seeks to designate CDEs as Medicare approved providers of diabetes self-management training (DSMT) services. There are currently 40 members of congress that support this bill.
At the state level, there is a call to legislation to recognize licensure of diabetes educators. House Bills for Diabetes Action Plans (DAP) have been implemented in 18 states and another 10 are considering passing their own DAP, but Utah is not one of them. Included in the DAP law is licensure of the diabetes educator, which will provide for consumer safety and provide minimum standards for recognition of the professional.
As the Utah Diabetes Educators Board Advocacy volunteer, I am asking for your support to make PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE a reality in the State of Utah. It is so important that diabetes health care professionals be well educated and appropriately credentialed as management of diabetes becomes increasingly complex, Without this “legal” definition, diabetes educators will continue to be self-defined. While payers may reimburse for the diabetes education service (DSMT), they may not recognize (reimburse) the provider of these services – the qualified diabetes educator.
Diabetes educator licensure is intended for the healthcare professional that has a defined role as a diabetes educator, not for those who may perform some diabetes-related functions as part of, or in the course of, other routine occupational duties.
The Impact of Professional Licensure has been identified. The demand for more professionals in urban and rural areas is evident. There is an enormous growth in diabetes prevalence and diabetes prevention and management produce major results. A trained and licensed educator is key to reducing the human and financial impact.
You can be a part of this effort by joining me in reaching out to the representatives and legislatures within the state of Utah, with your communities, and neighborhoods. It will take the efforts of many to make this happen. If you are interested, please respond to this blog/email and we will move forward on the plan to make a Diabetes Action Plan (DAP) a reality in the state of Utah!