Health Care Coverage Protected for Millions of Americans with Diabetes

Statement of the American Diabetes Association on Cloture Vote on S.1955, the “Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act�

The U.S. Senate Photo by: bensguide.gpo.gov

(ALEXANDRIA, VA) - L. Hunter Limbaugh, Chair of the National Advocacy Committee of the American Diabetes Association, issued the following statement in response to today`s defeat of `The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act" (S.1955), which would have resulted in the loss of critical health care coverage guarantees for over 85 million Americans, including millions with diabetes. On Thursday, May 11th, the U.S. Senate, on a 55-43 cloture vote, failed to keep the bill viable for future consideration. `Today, millions of Americans with diabetes dodged a bullet. Because of the vote in the U.S. Senate, state health coverage for diabetes has been protected. We are proud of the dedication and passion of tens of thousands of diabetes advocates who, for several months, have contacted their elected officials to express their strong opposition to this legislation. We thank all Senators who took the time to hear those concerns. `This bill was fundamentally flawed, as it would have jeopardized the health care coverage that millions of Americans with diabetes rely upon daily to manage their disease and prevent its serious and costly complications. S.1955 would have enabled health insurers to bypass existing state health protections, including coverage in 46 states and the District of Columbia, for life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, education, and treatment. Moving forward, ADA is eager to work with legislators from both parties to expand affordable, adequate and accessible health insurance to small businesses and other Americans who are uninsured and underinsured." Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country. The nation`s leading voluntary health organization supports diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association`s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

For more information call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.