Legislative Updates
MAY 2010
2009–10 Promise To Remember Me Campaign Is A Record Breaker!
The Promise Campaign came to an end on May 1 with a record-setting 410 meetings scheduled or completed with members of Congress around the country. In those meetings, legislators heard firsthand from families and children living with diabetes about the importance of continuing to fund research. Just as important, legislators heard about our exciting progress towards a cure through tangible advances in technology, genetics, and prevention.
In Washington State, families met with U.S. Representatives Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Brian Baird, Doc Hastings, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Jim McDermott, Dave Reichert, and Adam Smith, and with Senator Maria Cantwell. As a result of those meetings, we secured pledges from Representatives Inslee, Larsen, McDermott, Reichert, and Smith, and from Senator Cantwell, to cosponsor pending legislation that, if passed, will renew federal funding for type 1 diabetes at $200 million per year (FY2012–16). Thanks to the efforts of JDRF advocates, the combination of federal diabetes research funding and private investment through JDRF has become a highly effective public-private partnership. To learn more about the Promise campaign, visit www.promise.jdrf.org. Want to get involved as a JDRF government relations advocate? Sign up here!
MARCH 2010
Special Diabetes Program Renewal Legislation Introduced in Senate.
Legislation joins House companion in calling for increased funding through 2016. On March 2, 2010, diabetes champions in the Senate introduced legislation (S. 3058) to renew the Special Diabetes Program, which is JDRF's top legislative priority for 2010. Sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), the legislation would provide $200 million annually through fiscal year 2016 for the Special Diabetes Program, which funds critical type 1 diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is a cosponsor of the Senate bill.
Established by Congress in 1997, the Special Diabetes Program consists of two parts: research funding for type 1 diabetes and diabetes treatment and education programs for Native American populations. The program is currently funded at $150 million annually through fiscal year 2011 for each of the program's two parts.
The Special Diabetes Program is a unique research program administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and focused on finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. The program represents 35 percent of the federal investment in type 1 diabetes research and has yielded significant research advances that are helping to improve the lives of people living with diabetes and prevent the onset of the disease in others. A timely, multi-year renewal of the program will ensure the continuation of the large-scale clinical trials that are translating discoveries from the program's early years into new treatments - and possibly a cure - for people with diabetes.
The Senate bill is a companion to H.R. 3668, legislation introduced in the House by Diabetes Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE). The bill now has more than 200 co-sponsors, including Washington State Representatives Jay Inslee (D-1), Rick Larsen (D-2), Jim McDermott (D-7), Dave Reichert (R-8), and Adam Smith (D-9).
JDRF advocates from Washington State will be working with champions in the House and Senate to pass this renewal legislation this year.
JULY 2008
Congress Approves $300 Million for Type 1 Research
In mid-July, the U.S. Congress passed a Medicare bill that includes $300 million ($150 million per year for two years) for type 1 diabetes research through the Special Diabetes Program (SDP)
When added to the $150 million approved last December, JDRF has been able to secure $450 million for type 1 diabetes research over the past six months. This is the second largest single influx of research dollars ever provided to fight this disease, and obtaining SDP funding was JDRF's number one legislative priority.
May 2008
Special Diabetes Program Renewal
JDRF volunteer advocates in Washington continue to remain focused on securing a multi-year renewal of the Special Diabetes Program, a critical source of federal funds for type 1 research. The program currently is part of a Medicare package being developed in the Senate.
The timing of consideration of the package is still uncertain, but the latest information indicates that a bill may come to the Senate floor for a vote during the first week of June. Once it is passed in the Senate, it will move to the House for consideration. The Administration has indicated that they need to sign a bill into law by June 16 in order to protect doctors from a reduction in Medicare payments, which is the driving force behind the bill.
Stay tuned for more updates and information on how you can help in this advocacy effort!
Suzanne Kotz, Volunteer State Leader
JDRF Northwest Government Relations
March 2008
JDRF Northwest Government Relations volunteers are moving full speed ahead to secure a multi-year renewal this year for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). Nearly 200 advocates made more than 400 visits to legislators in Washington, D.C. last month to remind elected officials that, while the one-year extension provided last year is greatly appreciated, the job isn't done yet. This year JDRF is pursuing a three-year, $200-million-per-year renewal, which is the amount supported by Senator Baucus, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and many other key Congress members.
The House and Senate are expected to bring a Medicare bill to the floor by July 2008. We’re looking to that bill as a potential vehicle for ongoing funding. We continue to build support for the SDP renewal by gathering additional cosponsors for stand-alone legislation that would fund the program (H.R. 2762 and S. 1494). Currently, there are 235 cosponsors of this legislation.
In addition to lobbying on Capitol Hill, the Promise to Remember Me Campaign has played a critical role in helping to secure broad, bipartisan support for the renewal. Thanks to all of you who’ve participated in Promise meetings! We’ll keep you posted on how you can help with the SDP renewal.
Suzanne Kotz, Volunteer State Leader
JDRF Northwest Government Relations
January 2008
We are proud to report that an extension of the Special Diabetes Program was passed by Congress in December as a part of a larger Medicare package. The extension provides $150 million exclusively for Type 1 diabetes research for one more year. This was less than our initial request, but given today’s budget climate, it should be considered a huge victory—a victory that would not have happened without the active involvement of JDRF advocates! Now, we’re going to work to avoid a 35% cut in federal diabetes funding in 2009. Our Promise meetings will continue to be a vital part of our strategy as 2008 begins. To participate in the Promise Campaign, e-mail advocacy@jdrf.org to register for a meeting with your U.S. legislators.
August 2007
Special Diabetes Program Renewal
On August 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act—which contains a one-year, $150 million extension of the Special Diabetes Program.
This complex bill addressed issues such as physician reimbursement through Medicare, payments for home health and long-term care, Medicare coverage in rural areas, and the administration of the State Children’s Health Program. Be aware that your representative’s vote, which may be viewed online, may reflect concerns about tobacco taxes, cuts to the Medicare Advantage program, or other issues in the bill and may not clearly indicate their support for the Special Diabetes Program.
Passage of the House bill is an important step, but there’s still work to be done. The bill did not include the full request for a 5-year extension of the Special Diabetes Program or an increase from $150 to $200 million per year. The House bill still must be reconciled with the Senate version. We must continue to work through the summer and fall to build support for the renewal through Promise to Remember Me Campaign meetings with Northwest legislators and other focused efforts. To participate in the Promise Campaign, please e-mail advocacy@jdrf.org to register for a meeting with your local legislators and make your voice heard.
May 2007
Stem Cell Research Bill Passes in U.S. Senate
On April 11, the Senate version of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5) passed by a vote of 63 to 34. The bill would change existing federal policy to allow the use of stem cells derived from human embryos donated by in vitro fertilization clinics. The House and Senate are now working out the differences between the bills passed by each chamber. Congressional leaders have pledged to consider this legislation again later in the year if the White House vetoes the bill.
Targeting More Federal Funds for Type 1 Research
The combination of federal diabetes research funding and private investments through JDRF has created one of the most effective public-private partnerships focused on disease research. Private funding, including JDRF, provides 25 percent of all type 1 diabetes research money. Federal dollars account for the remaining 75 percent.
In the coming months, JDRF will be directing a special advocacy campaign for an increased federal commitment to diabetes research. Please sign up to become an advocate at www.jdrf.org and contact your legislators when requested. Advocate participation is the cornerstone of our success in passing diabetes-related legislation.
January 2007
Renewal of Diabetes Special Funding
JDRF Government Relations staff in Washington, D.C., have set a number of critical goals for 2007, the most important of which is renewal of the Special Diabetes Funding Program, which has provided an extra $750 million for diabetes research over a five-year period. This funding will expire in FY2008. To renew this critical funding, we’ll need strong support in Congress. It will be the job of JDRF advocates to convey to legislators a better understanding of the growing burden of diabetes, as well as the need for additional federal support for diabetes research. We will be asking JDRF Northwest advocates to communicate with legislators on this important issue over the coming months.
Stem Cell Legislation Passes the House Once Again!
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.3, legislation to expand the current stem cell policy, on January 11 by a vote of 253-174. This bill is identical to H.R.810, the legislation passed by Congress last year and vetoed by the President. Thanks to the hard work of many JDRF volunteers around the country, the House passed H.R.3 by a larger margin (by 15 votes) than the vote on H.R.810 last year.
We are asking all advocates to send a thank you letter to their Member if he/she voted in favor of H.R.3 and a different letter expressing disappointment and a willingness to work on other issues of importance to JDRF if they voted against the bill. It is important that Members receive these letters. To send in your letters, please visit http://www.capitolconnect.com/jdrf/.
The Senate has also made passing the legislation a priority, and we will let you know as soon as a vote on the bill is scheduled.