Protection of Private Health Insurance for Patients with Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association carefully monitors federal legislation that would affect health insurance for individuals with diabetes. ADA is working to ensure that all Americans with diabetes have access to health care that is affordable and adequate. As such, ADA strongly supports efforts in Congress to expand diabetes health coverage and strongly opposes efforts that would jeopardize diabetes health coverage.
In 2006, ADA helped defeat legislation in the U.S. Senate – the “Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act” (S.1955) – that would have allowed private health insurers to bypass existing state diabetes coverage protections in 46 states and the District of Columbia . Millions of Americans with diabetes rely on that coverage for their diabetes supplies, medication, and education. The Senate rejected S.1955 in May after hearing from patient advocacy groups such as ADA.
Should it be introduced in Congress, ADA will continue to oppose similar legislation that would it make it more difficult for individuals with diabetes to have the tools needed to manage the disease.
To learn more about health coverage options for diabetes, please visit ADA’s webpage on Health Insurance Information for People with Diabetes.
Additional information:
- Letter from Larry Smith, Chair of the Board, to U.S. Senate, opposing S.1955 (PDF) April 25, 2006
- S.1955 Fact Sheet (PDF)
Press Releases:
05-12-06 - Statement of the American Diabetes Association on Cloture Vote on S.1955, the “Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act” (PDF)
05-11-06 - American Diabetes Association Urges Senate to Protect Diabetes Coverage; Reject Fundamentally Flawed S.1955 (PDF)
03-14-06 - Diabetes Advocates Across the Country Urge Senate HELP Committee to Reject Enzi Health Insurance Legislation; Bill Fails to Protect Vital Diabetes Coverage (PDF)
03-07-06 - Enzi Health Insurance Legislation Would Jeopardize Lifesaving Coverage Protections for Millions with Diabetes (PDF)
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