Caucus Curiosity
Last week we posted about proposed federal legislation that may jeopardize diabetic supply coverage for millions of Americans - the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act." Naturally dLife was interested in what the Congressional Diabetes Caucus had to say about the legislation, so we contacted the office of Caucus co-chair Rep. Diana DeGette to ask what action they were taking on the issue. We were more than a bit surprised to see this response issued by her representative:
"The Congressional Diabetes Caucus is a bipartisan group of Congress with over 275 members, committed to improving the lives of the nearly 21 million Americans with diabetes. The Caucus is also dedicated to supporting important research funding into diabetes and diabetes-related complications. As a standing policy, the House Diabetes Caucus does not take positions on general legislation such as S. 1955, the "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act."
Now according to their website, one of the primary goals of the Caucus is to "[e]nsure diabetes is adequately addressed in all relevant legislation and regulations." And what could be more relevant to "improving the lives of the nearly 21 million Americans with diabetes" than ensuring that they have basic health care coverage for their medical supplies? What makes this even more contradictory is the fact that the Caucus has previously, and successfully, fought for Medicare and HCFA coverage of diabetes supplies and insulin pumps, respectively.
dLife urges you to contact your Caucus representative and ask them to take a stand on this critical piece of legislation.
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Diabetes Alert Day
Today is Diabetes Alert Day. There are over 6 million people in the U.S. that have diabetes but don't even know it. Help get the word out by sending friends and family our type 2 diabetes screening quiz to assess their risk.
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Of Mice and Men
Dr. Denise Faustman raised eyebrows in 2003 when she announced curing type 1 diabetes in mice by short-circuiting the autoimmune attack responsible for wiping out insulin-producing beta cells. And when major cure-focused non-profits eschewed her research in favor of funding more "promising" techniques like islet cell transplant, philanthropist Lee Iacocca stepped up to the plate and began a nationwide campaign to further Faustman's work.
But now the non-profits and the NIH may just sit up and take notice. In the current issue of Science, not just one but three separate studies confirm that Faustman's technique works - at least in mice. It's important to remember that it's a big leap from animal studies to human success, and the new research did not confirm that new beta cell growth came from spleen cells, as Faustman had previously hypothesized. Still, the new studies boost her case for a potential type 1 diabetes cure without the need for transplant.
Meanwhile, Faustman and colleague Dr. David Nathan continue their work at Massachusetts General Hospital, with a phase I human clinical trial planned for 2007. Now that the story is making headline news across the country, it will be interesting to see where the money goes in the ongoing search for a cure.
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On This Day in History
Roll out the low-carb cake and light a candle. dLifeTV is one-year-old today! March 20, 2005 was the premiere of episode 101, featuring Kendall Simmons and wife Celesta, Dr. Bob Arnot, a "Story of the Day" from 12-year-old Chris O'Brien, a look at the family dynamics of type 1 diabetes, and our very first "Know Your Numbers" audience segment (which evolved into "Test Don't Guess"). Thirty shows later, we may look and feel a bit different (those zooming host faces proclaiming that "It's My, My, My, My - dLife!" are a distant memory), but one thing remains constant - dLife is all about helping you manage your diabetes life. We thank you for your ongoing support and invaluable feedback this past year. We'll be heading back into production this Spring and have a few surprises up our sleeve for year two of dLifeTV!
MORE: First Diabetes Talk Show to Premiere on Sunday, March 20, 2005
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Makeovers, Managing Food, and More
The basics of eating right with diabetes, gadgets and gizmos that can help you control your dLife, and a visit with diabetes makeover candidate Rachel Jones and her healthcare team. Watch the show tonight at 7PM ET on CNBC, then visit dLife.com for podcasts and other web extras.
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Get Your Irish Up
Happy St. Patty's Day! From corned beef and cabbage to green beer, dLife has the information you need to make your celebration fun, healthy, and safe.
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Call Your Senator Today!
Today, 46 states require that state-regulated health insurers to cover diabetes education, equipment, and supplies. Now federal legislation before the Senate may jeopardize diabetes control for millions of Americans. The "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act" (S. 1955) would override state-mandated consumer healthcare protections such as mandatory diabetes supply benefits. Find out more about HIMMA.
Contact your Senator today and let your voice be heard.
The official press release from the ADA:
Statement of the American Diabetes Association on the Passage in the Senate HELP Committee of Senator Enzi's Health Insurance Legislation; Would Jeopardize Lifesaving Coverage Protections for Millions with Diabetes
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 15, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- L. Hunter Limbaugh, Chair of the American Diabetes Association's National Advocacy Committee and the parent of a daughter who has type 1 diabetes, issued the following statement in response to today's passage, in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, of legislation that will enable health insurers to bypass existing state health insurance regulations. The "Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act" (S. 1955) will result in the loss of critical health coverage guarantees for millions of people with diabetes. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia require insurers to provide coverage for diabetes supplies, medication, equipment and education, but S. 1955 will undermine those basic protections. Last week, the HELP Committee failed to approve an amendment that would have protected state diabetes coverage guarantees.
"Today's vote is a setback for our efforts to ensure that the 20.8 million Americans with diabetes have the health coverage they need to manage the disease and prevent its serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. As the full Senate considers this legislation, diabetes advocates from across the country will make sure that their Senators understand the negative consequences it would have on diabetes care.
"At a time when diabetes has become an epidemic in this country, we simply cannot afford to eliminate the diabetes health coverage guarantees that 46 states and the District of Columbia have wisely taken the initiative to provide. It has been the Association's experience that without these protections, state-regulated insurers often do not provide adequate diabetes coverage. When that happens, it is not just people with diabetes who will suffer, but our already over-burdened health care system. We urge Senators who are inclined to support S.1955 that they insist it be amended to protect and honor vital state diabetes coverage."
Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes, up from 18.2 million in 2003. One in three Americans, and one in two minorities, born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime if present trends continue. The cost of diabetes in the United States in 2002 was at least $132 billion; one in ten healthcare dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's advocacy efforts include helping to combat discrimination against people with diabetes; advocating for the increase of federal diabetes research and programs; and improved access to, and quality of, healthcare for people with diabetes. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides service to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
Contact your Senator today and let your voice be heard.
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Diabetes Idol
So what are the odds that not one, but two American Idol finalists would have type 1 diabetes? Richmond, Virginia's Elliot Yarmin wears an insulin pump, according to his official "Idol" bio page. And Kevin Covais (a.k.a. Chicken Little), cites diabetes as the toughest obstacle he's had to face in his young life. Both Elliot and Kevin made the cut last night as Idol whittled down its contestants to the final eleven.
RELATED: Celebrities with Diabetes
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Real People Real Stories
Do you ever wonder where we get the ideas and the people behind the stories you see on dLifeTV? A vast majority of our programming starts with an email or a phone call from people just like you.
dLife is starting production on our next season, and we're looking for people with diabetes and those that care for them to share their unique perspectives. Read our call for submissions and tell us your story today!
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Downsizing Inhalable Insulin
Technosphere inhaled insulin is entering phase III clinical trials, according to manufacturer MannKind Corporation. Successful phase III trials are typically the last step before a drug is submitted to the U.S. FDA for regulatory review.
The drug, which was developed by insulin pump pioneer Al Mann, uses the proprietary MedTone inhaler device that administers the insulin. The inhaler fits in the palm of your hand and, all other things being equal, the convenience of the device over Exubera's comparatively bulkier delivery system could be a big plus when it finally comes to market.
RELATED:
Find out more about inhaled insulin.
dLifeTV video - See the MedTone inhaler in "New Diabetes Products."
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Caring for Your Kidneys
Tune into dLifeTV tonight at 7PM ET on CNBC for straight talk on diabetic kidney disease from former NKDEP chairman Dr. Tom Hostetter. Also featured -- a day in the life of one dialysis patient who will inspire you and kidney-friendly recipes that are good for your diabetes. Watch clips from the show, hear a special backstage podcast with Dr. Hostetter, and get more special web extras here.
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Byetta In The News
Good press for the Amylin/Eli Lilly injectable type 2 drug Byetta this morning, as The New York Times publishes a piece on the weight loss benefits of the drug.
Byetta manufacturers Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly announced yesterday that they have filed a new drug application with FDA for Byetta to be used with thiazolidinediones drugs (or TZDs - such as Actos and Avandia). Currently Byetta is only approved for use as a standalone type 2 therapy or with sulfonylurea drugs.
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