SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM

On March 8, Congress renewed the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) through the year with a $10 million increase in program funding in the first of two government appropriation packages, bringing the total program amount to $160 million.

On March 22, Congress appropriated an additional $10 million dollars for T1D Research at National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in the second appropriations package.

We want to continue thanking our members of Congress for their efforts.  The advocacy team remains committed to educating members about the SDP and the importance of a multi-year renewal.

INSULIN AFFORDABILITY

The INSULIN Act (S. 1269) which would provide a $35 out-of-pocket insulin copay cap for those on commercial insurance and help foster competition for generic and biosimilar insulins, is pending in the Senate.

GOVERNMENT DAY

JDRF Government Day is held every spring. Dedicated Advocacy volunteers from all over the country meet with our nation’s leaders in Washington DC to share their stories and ask for Federal support of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and health policies that benefit our community.  This year Government Day will be taking place from June 2-5.

Following is a list of individuals from the JDRF Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter who will be attending:

Angie Grant, Erin Collins, Isabella Phillips, Shelley Page, Marie Rogers, Larissa Luther, Maddie McElroy and Camille Nash, Ann Nerland.

Please wish them well!

ADVOCACY IN ACTION COUNCIL

The newly created AAC, a group of advocates ages 18-26, has created a new ‘Transitioning to Independence’ Guide. This was designed to assist young adults with T1D as they navigate the transition to college or the workforce, and the challenges that accompany these milestones. AAC members developed this tool based on their own lived experiences.  Here is a link to the guide.

https://www.jdrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Transitioning-to-Independance-Guide.pdf

Please welcome our new AAC advocates, Emily Beckmann, Erin Collins and Isabella Phillips!

What is an Advocate?

JDRF Advocates help build and sustain critical Federal Government support for T1D research by raising awareness among Members of Congress of the financial, medical, and emotional costs of the disease.

If you’re not an advocate already, please sign up at jdrf.org/join.  You will be updated on issues that affect people living with T1D.  This is one way you can make a big difference!

Thank you to Ann Nerland for authoring this article.