2008-04
National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Supports Unrestricted Access to Medicaid Patients of Medically Necessary Devices
Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon (IN)
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that diabetes mellitus (diabetes) affects approximately 177 million people worldwide, with estimates rising to 370 million by 2030.
WHEREAS, according to data from the National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, the prevalence of diabetes is 50 percent higher among Hispanics in the United States than non-Hispanic whites over the age of 20.
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three children born in the year 2000 is expected to develop diabetes. Nearly one out of every two Hispanic and African American children born in the year 2000 is expected to develop diabetes.
WHEREAS, the United Nations recognizes diabetes as "a threat to families, member states and the entire world" resolved November 14 as an official United Nations Day of observance for Diabetes, making it the first time the UN has passed a resolution for a non-infectious disease...
WHEREAS, according to the American Diabetes Association, over 23 million Americans (8 percent) live with diabetes, including 5.7 million who are undiagnosed.
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006.”
WHEREAS, according to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 57 million Americans are pre-diabetic, and are at substantially higher risk of developing the disease.
WHEREAS, the ADA estimates that the total economic cost of diabetes in 2007 was $174 billion in the United States, $70 billion, of which was related to complications.
WHEREAS, according to Kaiser Family Foundation statistics, the prevalence of diabetes for the Hispanic population enrolled in Medicaid (21.6%) is greater than twice that of the non-Hispanic white population (9.3%) and 60% higher than the total Medicaid population with diabetes overall (13.5%).
WHEREAS, people with diabetes must manage their blood sugar to within a range, or face considerable complications, including hypertension, amputation, blindness, heart disease, and stroke.
WHEREAS, diabetes is a disease that can be effectively managed through diet, exercise, oral medication, blood glucose monitoring, and, if necessary, insulin therapy, either through multiple daily injections or insulin pump therapy.
WHEREAS, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recognize self-monitoring of blood glucose is a critical resource for the management of diabetes.
WHEREAS, people with diabetes must manage their blood sugar with sufficient frequency to allow them and their health care professionals to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices, nutrition, exercise, and adjustments in medication therapy.
WHEREAS, self-monitoring blood glucose devices provide people with diabetes the ability to monitor their blood sugar and adjust their diabetes treatment based on the result.
WHEREAS, the Caucus appreciates the need for people with diabetes to have access to culturally sensitive support to ensure that devices are used to maximize patient care.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, that the Caucus acknowledges and recognizes the need for all people with diabetes, particularly those communities that face racial and health disparities, to have access to known medically accepted diabetes care devices, including self-monitoring blood glucose monitoring systems, to ensure proper management of their disease.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, Such medical device selection should be based on the clinical decision making of the health care provider and their patient’s specific needs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, States should not limit access to the types of diabetes testing supplies (as prescribed by the physician) in any manner, such as through the use of Preferred Drug Lists or Preferred Provider Programs.
This resolution was adopted on November 15, 2008, at the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Executive Committee Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Representative Joseph Miró (DE), NHCSL president
Sponsored By: Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon (IN)