It’s more than just one day! 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 type 1 diabetes (T1D) to our nation’s leaders. This year, JDRF Advocacy volunteers attended over 400 meetings with federal lawmakers across the United States to help secure Federal funding for T1D research and inform health and regulatory policy.

Locally, our Northern California Advocates met with Members of Congress to thank them for their support and speak on behalf of all people living with T1D. Our Advocacy volunteers called upon the office of Senator Alex Padilla, and coordinated 12 meetings with the offices of Rep. Ami Bera,Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, Rep. Anna Eshoo (snapshot of meeting above), Rep. John Garamendi, Rep. Jared Huffman, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Tom McClintock, Rep. Jerry McNerney, Rep. Jackie Speier, Rep. Eric Swalwell, and Rep. Mike Thompson. See more snapshots of these important virtual meeting below.

“JDRF’s Government Day advocacy generates a tremendous benefit to the T1D community. In terms of dollars, JDRF Advocates have helped secure $150 million each year from the federal government for T1D research and therapy development. That’s almost dollar-for-dollar how much JDRF itself invests in T1D research every year!”

– Chris Tapio, Advocacy District Champion

“Every family affected by T1D knows personally the burden that the skyrocketing cost of insulin creates. There’s now bipartisan acknowledgement of the problem, and just after we kicked off our latest Government Day, the House of Representatives passed major legislation that proposes to cap the cost of insulin. We hope the Senate works in a bi-partisan manner to pass this critical legislation.”

– Chris Martin, Advocacy Team Chair

We are so proud of the work that JDRF Advocacy volunteers are doing both locally and nationally. On March 31, 2022 the House of Representatives 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). The bill has the president’s support and now moves to the Senate, and amazing volunteers, together with JDRF, continue to work hard to advocate for its support.

We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make JDRF 2022 Government Day a big success! If you would like to become more involved in these conversations, please visit our Advocacy page. Your voice can make a difference!