JDRF’s Government Day is held every spring, with dedicated advocacy volunteers using the most powerful tools they have — their own personal stories — to communicate the financial, medical and emotional costs of T1D to our nation’s leaders. . This year, JDRF volunteers secured and attended over 300 meetings with Federal law makers.

Locally, our Advocacy Committee has been spearheading meetings with New Jersey representatives to advocate on behalf of all people living with T1D. This fantastic committee is led by Advocacy Team Chair and chapter board member, Lisa Clarke, and she’s been joined at these meetings by committee members Arianna Gehan and Dan Bisno.

Earlier this month, Lisa and committee members Arianna Gehan and Kim McCoy met with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) for a press conference. During the conference, Senator Menendez asked Lisa to sit down one-on-one so he could learn more of her story. You can watch the full video of Lisa’s conversation with Menendez HERE.

We are so proud of the work that JDRF advocacy volunteers are doing both locally and nationally. On March 31, 2022 the House passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act including a provision to cap the out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $35/mo. per prescription or 25% of the negotiated cost of insulin for those on Medicare or commercial insurance (including the ACA).

If you would like to become more involved in these conversations, please visit our Advocacy page.