Shaheen, Collins Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing November as American Diabetes Month
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution recognizing November as American Diabetes Month. The resolution supports the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, including public awareness of prevention and treatment options and enhancing education of the risks of developing diabetes. It also recognizes the importance of decreasing the incidences of Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes through research, treatment and prevention.
“American Diabetes Month recognizes the millions of Americans—our neighbors, coworkers, friends and family members—living with diabetes. I’m hopeful that with continued support, we'll continue making strides in prevention and treatment and ultimately develop a cure,” said Senator Shaheen. “Until that day, I’ll continue working to bring down medical costs, including lowering the cost of insulin, so every person impacted by diabetes can access the care they need to survive and thrive.”
"During American Diabetes Month, it is critical that we continue to raise awareness about the burden of diabetes, while also celebrating the progress we have made in improving the lives of millions of Americans living with this disease," said Senator Collins. "Through continued federal investment in biomedical research and by passing bipartisan legislation to address the high costs of insulin, like the INSULIN Act, we can build on this progress. As the founder and co-chair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with Senator Shaheen to support federal policies that will help to better treat, prevent, and ultimately cure diabetes.”
The resolution can be read in full here.
As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Shaheen and Collins have consistently worked to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin. Last year, the Senators introduced their bipartisan legislation, the Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act of 2023, which would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans.
Last summer, Shaheen and Collins introduced the Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen vital Type 1 diabetes research. In March, Senators Collins and Shaheen secured a short-term reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) through the end of 2024. Earlier this month, the senators led a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership emphasizing the importance of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) that was signed by a total of 55 Senators.
The Senators also announced the bicameral, bipartisan Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act, to improve early detection and screening for Type 1 diabetes.
###
