This week, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the federal government through December 11 and, importantly, prevent the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing or implementing its proposed “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” through that date. The passage of the CR averts a government shutdown on October 1 (the start of the federal fiscal year) and provides time for Congress to develop a permanent block of the dangerous policy.
This outcome follows months of Endocrine Society advocacy. The Society submitted comments to OMB calling for its withdrawal and urged Congress to intervene. We conducted in-person meetings with congressional offices explaining our concerns about how the proposed rule would undermine the peer review system and replace it with political decision making. We also shared stories about how the proposed rule would negatively impact research and we conducted dozens of “virtual” meetings during August with our members and congressional staff. The delay in implementation represents an important victory, but it is only a first step.
The Society believes Congress still needs to act with urgency to permanently block the proposed rule because some federal agencies are already acting to implement policies consistent with proposed rule. We will continue to strongly advocate so that Congress will resolve this issue before the end of the year.
TAKE ACTION: Your voice is needed. Please take action by joining the Society’s online advocacy campaign to tell your Representative and Senators to protect research and invest in NIH. Together, we can help ensure that Congress will adequately fund research and support the merit-based grant system that has helped make the NIH the world leader in medical research.
On September 2nd, historic legislation to make insulin more affordable for people living with diabetes was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation, known as the INSULIN Act, introduced by Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO); Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA); Kim Schrier (D-WA); Rob Bresnahan (R-PA); and Angie Craig (D-MN), would expand the $35 insulin co-pay cap, currently available only to Medicare beneficiaries, to the private insurance market. The legislation, which is like the version introduced in the Senate earlier this year, would also establish an insulin resource center and hotline for to help people who are uninsured access insulin and would also promote biosimilar competition for patients.
The Society released a statement applauding the introduction of the legislation in the House. Addressing insulin affordability continues to be a top priority of the Society and we worked closely with the sponsors on the introduction of this bill. We will continue to urge Congress to pass this important legislation. Passing this legislation remains an uphill battle in part because of its estimated price tag for the federal government; however, because of Endocrine Society advocacy, we now count 60 senators who are co-sponsors (60 is the number needed to clear a bill for passage) and a growing list of Representatives.
We also have learned that congressional leadership are considering a package of health bills for the end of the year, which could create a legislative vehicle for this this bill. We ask all Endocrine Society members to take action through our online campaign and contact your Representative and Senators to pass the INSULIN Act.
This week, the Endocrine Society will debut our new Center on Obesity and newly published Scientific Statement. Endocrine Society members are invited to attend a virtual event to learn more on Wednesday September 9 from 11AM to 12PM ET.
During this event, members will get a first look at the new Center and the Scientific Statement, “Obesity Science, Research Gaps and Opportunities in the New Era of Obesity Medicines.” Daniel J. Drucker, MD, a pioneer in the development of GLP-1RA therapies and leader of the writing group, will present the statement’s key findings. Amy E. Rothberg, MD, Chair of the Society’s Obesity Task Force, will discuss how the Center will support obesity care and research. Obesity Special Interest Group Co-Chair Mehmet Furkhan Burak, MD, will serve as the emcee for the member-exclusive event.
Leveraging members’ expertise in hormonal causes and treatments of obesity, the Endocrine Society’s Center on Obesity seeks to accelerate scientific understanding of obesity and advance treatments for the one in eight people worldwide with obesity.
The Statement will be the first major publication unveiled as part of the Center. Developed by eight experts who reviewed more than 200 studies, the statement examines how obesity treatments are evolving, what the latest evidence reveals, and where important questions remain.
The event will explore:
Members can register to attend the virtual event, which will take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, September 9.
We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.
