ICYMI: Shaheen-Collins Bipartisan Reauthorization of Special Diabetes Program Clears Key Committee Hurdle
(Washington, DC) – Last week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, announced that the Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee by a vote of 20-1. This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and strengthen vital Type 1 diabetes research happening at the National Institutes of Health and renew critical treatment, education, and prevention programs for at-risk populations, specifically Native American and Alaska Native communities, who experience Type 2 diabetes at nearly three times the national average.
“I am glad to see this increased investment in the Special Diabetes Program clear this pivotal committee hurdle,” said Senator Shaheen. “Congress must do everything in our power to ensure the 37 million Americans living with diabetes receive the best treatment possible while we work to find a cure. Increased investments in the Special Diabetes Program will help us to better treat, prevent and ultimately cure diabetes. This vital program is responsible for groundbreaking discoveries that have helped the millions of Americans living with or at-risk of developing diabetes, and with continued investments, we can truly put an end to this deadly, chronic disease.”
“For more than 25 years, the Special Diabetes Program, comprised of the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research, and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, has delivered meaningful resources and research breakthroughs, for those with type 1 diabetes, as well as for Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Together, these programs have become the nation's most strategic effort to combat diabetes and its complications,” said Senator Collins. “Without an extension, both programs are set to expire at the end of this fiscal year. Congress has reauthorized the Special Diabetes Program with bipartisan support numerous times since its inception in 1997. Yet funding has remained flat since fiscal year 2004. During this time, the cost of research has increased, as has the size of the population and the cost of medical care. For this reason, our bill would give a modest increase in funding, the first increase in 20 years.”
For over 25 years, the Special Diabetes Program has delivered important resources and groundbreaking research for those with Type 1 diabetes. The Special Diabetes Program is comprised of the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). Without an extension, both programs are at risk of expiring at the end of the fiscal year. This bill would ensure both components are funded at $170 million for fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025, in addition to sustaining funding at the comparable level through December 31, 2025.
The Special Diabetes Program consists of two components: the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research. This component supports the research aimed at prevention, treatment, and curing type 1 diabetes and its complications. The second component is the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, which supports diabetes treatment and prevention strategies for American Indian and Alaska Native populations who experience Type 2 diabetes at a disproportionately high rate.
The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 is endorsed by The Endocrine Society, The American Diabetes Association, JDRF and the National Indian Health Board.
As co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have worked together to increase awareness of the threats posed by diabetes, invest in research, and improve access to treatment options. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Collins introduced the Improving Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now Act of 2023, which would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin and remove barriers to care making it more accessible to millions of Americans. Shaheen and Collins have consistently pressed to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin.
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