As you may have heard the Utah House of Representatives has refused to allow a hearing on the Governor’s alternative to Medicaid Expansion. The American Diabetes Association, among other groups, strongly supports Healthy Utah. I am encouraging all our diabetes educators to reach out to our representatives. Please call your Utah Hourse of Representative member and educate them on why the poorest sector of our population is more apt to get diaetes, as well as the complications of diabetes. In addition, there will be a rally at the State Capital on Thursday, March 5th at noon. If you are able please do what you can to help push the House to consider this legislation.
If you need to leave a message, the last paragraph is the most important part of this. You may represent the American Diabetes Association, or yourself personally as a diabetes educator.Gaining these federal funds to increase Medicaid will be invaluable to help our citizens of Utah gain access to medical care, diabetes education and supplies/prescription medications.
This is some verbage that the American Diabetes Association developed to use to encourage them to consider this legislation.
Diabetes is a complex, chronic disease for which there is no cure and the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Access to affordable, adequate health coverage is critically important for all people with, and at risk for, diabetes. When people are not able to afford the tools and services necessary to manage their diabetes, they forego the care they need, potentially leading to costly complications and even death. Complications associated with diabetes include blindness, kidney failure, amputation, heart disease and stroke.
Low income is generally associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes and diabetes related complications. Adults with diabetes are more likely to receive their care through Medicaid than those without the disease. For low-income individuals with diabetes, access to Medicaid coverage is critical to maintaining health and preventing diabetes-related complications.
The American Diabetes Association strongly urges Utah, and all states, to accept federal funds to increase access to affordable health care coverage under Medicaid in order to reduce disparities in access to care and health status that low-income populations experience nationwide.
Thanks.
Dawn Higley,MS, RN, CDE
AADE Utah Legislative & Advocacy