Diabetes is a growing epidemic and has no one-size-fits-all solution.

Innovative therapies and devices to help people manage short and long-term outcomes are all too often out of reach for many Americans. High insulin costs, outdated Medicare coverage system for new technologies, and black-box business practices in the prescription drug supply chain hurt people with diabetes every day.

Now, more than ever, it is important that members of Congress understand the challenges faced by over 37 million Americans with diabetes, and how they can turn talk into action.

DLC is proud to host policy briefings for members of Congress and their staff, offering real perspective on diabetes community priorities. These events provide an opportunity for our advocacy leaders to connect with lawmakers and share patient-centered perspectives on important policies that support people with diabetes.

2024 BRIEFING 2023 BRIEFING 2022 BRIEFING

118th Congress, 2023

In 2023, DLC and the Congressional Diabetes Caucus came together to give representatives of the 118th Congress policy tools and patient insight to start putting the talk on Capitol Hill into action.

Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), two of DLC’s 2022 Diabetes Champions, addressed attendees on the bi-partisan and bicameral work of the Diabetes Caucuses.

Fitting with the theme of Less Talk, More Action, DLC board members and guests shared their personal experience and the importance of:

Implementing a nationwide insulin copay cap to ensure patients never subsidize their health plan's profits.

Updating Medicare to provide equitable access to critical but under-utilized diabetes technologies.

Tackling Pharmacy Benefit Manager middlemen that saddle people with chronic conditions with higher costs and fewer options for prescription medications..

Read these white papers to discover the ins and outs of patient-centered policy to help the millions of Americans who face high prescription drug costs.

INSULIN CAPS DIABETES TECH PBM REBATES

Listen to community members share their connection and what they want legislators to know about diabetes:

117th Congress, 2022

In 2022, DLC facilitated conversations with members of the 117th Congress to discuss how they are helping Americans with diabetes. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Fred Upton (R-MI) and Brad Wenstrup, MD, (R-OH) discussed how their bills would help bring down the cost of medicines for all.

We were also honored to hear from the staff of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on the bipartisan effort to help put an end to PBM drug pricing schemes that are hurting our most vulnerable neighbors