Advocacy in Action

September 30 Deadline Approaches for Government Funding and Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization

We are days away from the September 30 deadline for two issues important to our members: funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).

• Members of Congress have yet to agree on funding levels for the next fiscal year. If Congress is unable to pass an appropriations bill by the September 30 deadline, it will need to pass a continuing resolution that will fund the government at the current year’s level, or the federal government will “shutdown” until funding legislation is passed. Continuing resolutions and government shutdowns prevent research teams from making groundbreaking discoveries and disrupt the entire public health continuum. Consequently, the Endocrine Society is urging Congress to complete its work on the FY24 spending bill as soon as possible.
• Funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) will expire on September 30 if Congress does not pass legislation to reauthorize the program. SDP is a federal initiative aimed at accelerating diabetes research, improving treatment options, and finding a cure for diabetes. It is comprised of two components—the Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. Many of the 37 million Americans living with diabetes rely on this program, and the Endocrine Society is urging Congress to pass legislation that would extend the program for two years and increase its funding by 13%.

TAKE ACTION:Using our online campaign tool, join the Endocrine Society in urging Congress to complete the FY24 appropriations process and reauthorize SDP.It’s critical that every member of Congress hears from their constituents about the importance of addressing these two issues before the September 30 deadline.

• NIH Funding Online Campaign
• Special Diabetes Program Campaign

Society Hosts Briefing to Educate Congressional Staff on Anti-Obesity Medications; Treat and Reduce Obesity Act Highlighted During Congressional Hearing

This week, the Endocrine Society hosted a briefing to educate members of Congress and their staff about anti-obesity medications (AOMs). The briefing featured two Endocrine Society members who have expertise in treating obesity. Dr. Jonathan Purnell, Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University, provided attendees with an overview of AOMs, how they work, and the barriers to access. Dr. Rocio Pereira, Director of the Office of Health Equity and Chief of Endocrinology at Denver Health, spoke about the health inequities that exist in obesity treatment and care. The briefing was part of the Society’s ongoing effort to educate Congress about the obesity epidemic supported by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company In the past year, we have conducted several Congressional briefings on different topics related to obesity and released an Obesity Playbook, which offers a “101” education about obesity for congressional staff. You can click here to watch a recording of the briefing.

Prior to our briefing, the House Energy & Commerce Health subcommittee conducted a hearing to discuss the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which would take steps to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the full range of obesity treatment options. The bill would remove Medicare restrictions pertaining to Intensive Behavioral Therapy (IBT), which is an effective lifestyle intervention for obesity that includes dietary and nutrition assessment to promote weight loss. TROA would also ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can access FDA approved anti-obesity medications, which are scientifically proven to be effective at treating obesity. Medicare is currently prohibited from covering anti-obesity medications and legislative action is needed to give Medicare the authority to cover these medications.

The Endocrine Society endorsed TROA when it was introduced, and we continue to work with the bill’s cosponsors to garner support. The Society also released a joint statement with the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) in support of TROA, which was submitted to the Energy & Commerce Committee record.

Recent Policy Communications

• The Endocrine Society Urges HELP Leaders to Reject Cuts to the Prevention Fund - The Endocrine Society joined in a letter urging the leaders of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to reject cuts to the Prevention Fund that if enacted would put Americans at greater risk for illnesses, injuries, and preventable deaths.
• The Science Community Urges the United States to Assert Science Leadership Surrounding EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals) - The Endocrine Society joined in a letter from the science community urging the United States to continue its role as a leading voice on science in the field of plastic pollution science and policy.
• Endocrine Society Explains Need for Distinct Codes for Type 1 Diabetes - The Endocrine Society joined in a letter along with other organizations representing people living with type 1 diabetes to explain the need for codifying the distinction between early-stage T1D and pre-T2D to facilitate appropriate management of the two disease states.
• The DAA (Diabetes Advocacy Alliance) Recommends Additions to the MPFS to Address Diabetes Prevention - The Endocrine Society, as part of the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance, joined in a letter that both applauds proposed changes addressing concerns surrounding Diabetes and offers several additional recommendations to help build on those changes in the MPFS.
• Endocrine Society Addresses Ongoing Needs of Medicare Beneficiaries in Proposed MPFS - The Endocrine Society provided comments on the CMS (Centers for Medicare &Medicaid Services) Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule for CY (Calendar Year) 2024, urging CMS to address ongoing needs of endocrinologists and other Medicare beneficiaries.
• Endocrine Society Joins Letter Supporting the G2211 Add-On Code - The Endocrine Society joins a coalition of organizations in a letter supporting the Medicare G2211 add-on code. This code will improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to high-quality, patient-centered care.