DLC in Action
Hot Topics
DLC exists to advocate on behalf of all people affected by diabetes. Learn more about the topics we’ve tackled so far.
States set priorities for COVID-19 vaccinations
DLC asks governors to prioritize T1D DLC continues engaging with state and federal policymakers to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination for people with T1D. In a letter to the National Governors Association (NGA) leadership and co-chairs of the NGA Pandemic Recovery and Response task force, DLC encourages governors to prioritize people with diabetes equally in their state’s […]
Pausing implementation of 340B insulin price pass-through
Joint statement on the Biden Administration regulatory freeze DLC & DPAC responded to the Administration’s announcement pausing implementation of federal regulations that were not yet in effect on Inauguration Day. The announcement was expected but many people in the diabetes community expressed concern because the Executive Order on Access to Life-Saving Medications was included […]
Prioritize people with diabetes equally for COVID-19 vaccination
DLC & DPAC urge the CDC to update vaccination guidance to states Data on COVID-19 risks and outcomes indicate people with diabetes have 3-4x the risk of severe complications or hospitalization, whether they have type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). DLC & DPAC submitted comments to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on […]
Diabetes community urges equal T1D & T2D vaccine priority
DLC joined 18 national health organizations urging the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to give people with diabetes equal priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. Under current CDC vaccine rollout guidelines, T1D is on a lower priority level than T2D, even though people with either form of diabetes are at similar risk for severe illness from […]
DLC & DPAC Comment on Medicare CGM Coverage
DLC & DPAC submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the agency’s proposed rule on Medicare CGM coverage. We welcome a shorter, more predictable pathway to Medicare coverage for all U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved CGM products but have grave concerns regarding proposed reimbursement changes that could disrupt CGM access for […]
DLC leads consensus statement on diabetes health care reform
In 2020, DLC led a group of 12 leading national diabetes organizations to develop a consensus statement on U.S. health care reform to better meet the needs of people with diabetes. Click below to download a copy of the full consensus statement or visit DLC’s health care reform page to learn more.
DLC offers steps to help reduce insulin costs
Access to insulin is too important to rely on shopping savvy or savings programs. It is an essential, life-sustaining component of diabetes care. Help is available if you or someone you love struggles with insulin costs. There’s no one-size-fits all shortcut, but these steps may help reduce your out-of-pocket cost for insulin and other diabetes […]
DLC & DPAC welcome Medicare news on lower insulin costs
DLC and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) issued a joint statement in response to CMS’s May 26, 2020, announcement about the Part D Senior Savings Model. Beginning in the 2021 plan year, 3.3 million Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes will see lower, more predictable insulin costs in 1,750 plans that will cap patient cost sharing […]
Urge Congress to protect people with diabetes
DLC and 8 national diabetes advocacy partner organizations wrote Congressional Leaders on April 29, 2020, urging them to take action to protect people with diabetes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Diabetes advocates stressed the need for affordable insurance, affordable medications and better research to understand and address the impact of COVID-19 on people with […]
Senators can help raise awareness of affordable insulin sources today
DLC and its advocacy partners, Children with Diabetes (CWD) and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), wrote Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), to encourage revisions to their recent report on the availability of authorized generic insulin in U.S. pharmacies. In the letter, DLC, CWD and DPAC urged the senators to recognize the […]
MN lawmakers urged to act now
The Star Tribune in Minnesota published an op-ed from DLC President Larry Smith urging Minnesotans to help people who can’t afford their insulin today. Insulin access is too important an issue to be used for partisan or personal attacks. The time for pointing fingers is over. Diabetes touches every family and every community in the […]
DLC statement on authorized generic insulin
DLC released a statement in response to Lilly’s plan to introduce an authorized generic for Humalog insulin in the U.S. at a reduced list price. We welcome this effort to reduce out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving insulin and call on all health care system stakeholders to commit to a comprehensive and lasting solution to rising insulin […]
UnitedHealthcare to restrict pump access for children with T1D
DLC, Children with Diabetes and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition call on UnitedHealthcare to reverse its decision to expand durable insulin pump access restrictions to include children with T1D. DLC opposed this controversial policy when UHC first restricted pump access for adults with diabetes. We believe: People with diabetes and their medical teams know […]
DLC’s George Huntley advocates for patient-centered insurance design
George Huntley hit Capitol Hill recently to represent DLC and people with diabetes in a panel discussion on value-based insurance design (VBID). Smarter Health Care Coalition hosted the event during its annual summit. Manufacturers, health plans, PBMs and policymakers are showing greater interest in VBID that ties drug or device costs to health outcomes. Plans […]
Medicare payment rule changes may undermine diabetes care
DLC appreciates CMS efforts to ease administrative burdens and ensure adequate reimbursement for Medicare providers. Unfortunately, proposed revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2019, and omitting key diabetes-related initiatives, may compromise care for millions of Medicare beneficiaries with or at risk for diabetes. DLC 2019 MPFS comments
MA bill extends authorization for prescription discounts
DLC wrote Senate leaders in Massachusetts to urge their support for H.4825, which would extend authorization for certain prescription drug discount vouchers in Massachusetts. Co-pay cards and prescription discount plans are by no means a perfect solution to rising pharmaceutical costs; however, for many people with diabetes they are a lifeline – significantly reducing out-of-pocket […]
DLC urges CMS not to approve Kentucky HEALTH
DLC and thousands of advocates nationwide have urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) not to approve the Medicaid 1115 waiver and amendment, Kentucky HEALTH. Proposed “community engagement” and cost-sharing requirements, and punitive coverage disenrollment and lockouts do not promote Medicaid program objectives. They would make it harder for low-income Kentuckians with diabetes […]
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug) Plans May Now Cover Omnipod®
DLC is pleased that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance clarifying that Medicare Part D Plan Sponsors may provide coverage for products such as the Omnipod System under the Medicare Part D (prescription drug) program. DLC, in conjunction with other diabetes organizations, advocated strongly for this guidance. Click below to […]
DLC Advocates for Coverage of Life-Saving Technology
DLC has recently contacted the Office of Health Insurance Programs at the New York State Department of Health seeking support for consideration of a rationale coverage determination for New York Medicaid recipients for continuous glucose monitoring. Read the full letter by clicking the link below: Letter to Gregory S. Allen
DLC Seeks Support for National Diabetes Heart Connection Day
The National Diabetes Volunteer Council is working together with other organizations, including the American Diabetes and the American Heart Associations, to raise awareness of this diabetes heart connection by marking November 9th as National Diabetes Heart Connection Day. DLC recently contacted the Honorable Don Wright, Acting Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services […]
DLC In the News
DLC Board Member George Huntley was quoted in two recent news stories regarding the increasingly high cost of insulin for patients with diabetes. In stories published online by INDYStar on September 8, 2017 and USA Today on September 13, 2017, the DLC and other diabetes advocacy organizations call on Lilly Diabetes and other manufacturers of […]
Inclusion of all Insulin Pumps in the Medicare System
This summer, DLC joined with other prominent organizations in advocating for coverage of the Omnipod Insulin Management System in by Medicare. You can read our letter, and those of the other organization, below. Letters of Support for Medicare Coverage of Omnipod from Key Diabetes-Re….
DLC Position on Non-Medical Switching
We are extremely concerned about the patient impact from the practice of forced, non-medical switching by pharmacy benefit managers through the practice of excluding drugs from formularies or pricing them out of range of patient use. Please read our attached Position on Non Medical Switching.
Access To Insulin – Employer Plan Design Initiative
DLC is launching an effort focused on educating employer’s on the importance of the pharmacy benefit plan design and its impact on the health of their participants, as well as the cost savings an appropriately designed plan can have for both their employee/participants and also the employers themselves.
DLC Urges NM Legislature to Overturn Veto on State’s First Diabetes Action Plan
HB 87 was passed by both the House and the Senate of the New Mexico General Assembly was vetoed by Governor Susana Martinez. It would create a framework and guidelines for developing of a comprehensive, statewide diabetes action plan that would bring a new level of coordination and accountability to New Mexico’s efforts to fight diabetes.
Access to Insulin – Roundtable Quantifies # of People Using Insulin Exposed to List Price
DLC convened a roundtable in Washington DC on November 11, 2016, comprised of patient advocacy groups, health care professionals, industry leaders, patient advocates and key opinion leaders. While this is a very complex issue, the goal was to better understand the scope of the issue and the various patient profiles for those patients experiencing the greatest obstacles in obtaining their insulin.
DLC Urges Congress To Support The Special Diabetes Program
The National Diabetes Volunteer Leadership Council expresses its enthusiastic support for continued funding of critical programs in diabetes prevention and care undertaken through the Special Diabetes Program. Accordingly, we are urging members of the United States Congress to renew multi-year support for the Special Diabetes Programs at current or increased levels before its September 2017 expiration.
DLC Speaks Out Against UnitedHealth Group’s Limitation of Patient Choice of Insulin Pumps
On May 28, 2016 the DLC leadership sent a letter to executives with UnitedHealth Group speaking out against UHG’s recent decision to limit patient choice to one brand of insulin pump. The topic has raised issues of patient access and safety due to lack of patient empowerment leading to proven declines in self-management and health outcomes. Please see the attached white paper…
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Competitive Bidding
The CMS has implemented a competitive bidding program that compromises the health of beneficiaries who have diabetes by disrupting their access to the blood glucose monitoring supplies they need. We are urging that the CMS suspend competitive bidding for diabetes testing supplies immediately due to adverse impacts to patient access and increased mortality.
DLC supports a defined pathway for bio-similars that puts patient welfare at the center of the process
National Diabetes Volunteer Leadership Council (DLC) Comments regarding Draft Guidance for Industry on Non-proprietary Naming of Biological Products (FDA-2013-D-1543)
•The DLC supports a defined pathway for bio-similars that puts patient welfare at the center of the process.
•The Burden for Interchangeability Goes Beyond Bio-similarity
•Interchangeability requires a significantly higher testing standard than bio-similarity.
DLC calls out KY legislature on failure to fund diabetes prevention
DLC leaders, Stewart Perry and Larry Smith, are raising their voices to the Kentucky legislature on the failure to provide previously included line item budgeting for diabetes prevention. Please read their April 22, 2016 op-ed piece in the Northern Kentucky Tribune as well as additional coverage that is being given this important topic.
Test Strip Contamination In Multi-Patient Settings
Letter to Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The purpose of this letter is to alert you to current deficiencies in guidelines surrounding the usage of glucose test strip vials in multi-patient settings, which present a significant hazard to patient safety. The CDC’s recommendations on infection prevention during blood glucose […]
DLC supports Outpatient Glucose Monitoring Consensus Statement
DLC members attended a consensus conference sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) on the outpatient use of blood glucose monitoring of all types of diabetes. We strongly support the attached statement that resulted from the conference.
Blood Glucose Monitor Accuracy
Improving blood glucose monitor accuracy has measurable, positive effects on the lives of people with diabetes, and the healthcare system that supports them. See four big things we want the FDA do to improve BGM Accuracy.
Diabetes Action Plans
Many states have no strategy for addressing the challenges they face in managing diabetes – currently $245 billion dollars of our economy. We’d like every state to have a diabetes action plan, and are ready to help them develop one. See our Diabetes Action Plan advocacy.
Safe at School
We believe that every state should enact laws to ensure that students with diabetes have fair and safe access to an education without undue disruption of their diabetes treatment. See how we’re working to keep kids Safe at School.
Sharps Disposal
Requiring people with diabetes to buy sharps disposal containers with every sharps purchase is an undue financial burden, not to mention wasteful. See why we think certain states should keep current Sharps Disposal regulations.