I beg your GD/P indulgence--S. 1955 is out of committee

[blondeatlast]

and could be voted on anytime. This is DEVASTATING legislation for anyone who has, knows, or cares for someone with chronic illness.

This bill would allow states to allow insurance companies to NOT cover essential medical supplies. For someone like me that includes blood glucose testing supplies, insulin pump supplies, etc.--all necessary to maintain my health and all very expensive.

Information on the bill and contacting your Senators can be found here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2529552

Please--call, fax, e-mail, whatever your senators and urge them to defeat this bill.

I can't believe it was approved by the committee.

I'm almost begging here--this bill would be devastating to me and many, many other DUers.

Please kick this thread occasionally.

Thank you so much.

:scared::scared::scared:

[blondeatlast]

1. More info and a shameless, and I do mean shameless, kick:

Dear Supporter of the American Diabetes Association

The U.S. Senate will soon vote on a bill that could leave millions of
Americans with diabetes without insurance coverage for their diabetes
needs. The bill, S. 1955, will pre-empt the 46 state laws,
passed over the last decade with bi-partisan support, that require
state-regulated health plans to cover diabetes education, equipment,
and supplies. As American Diabetes Association volunteers, this
legislation directly impacts our mission. We must join together
and stop it.
Today the organization is asking for your help in our efforts to lobby
Senators and secure their opposition to S. 1955 in its current state
as it fails to protect state diabetes coverage regulations.

Things you can do to oppose S. 1955 include:

* Register with our Online Action Center
http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i=jvpTnszEEAuyqXXrk_BX3g..

Once you register, you will see this issue under the heading,
"Preserve Diabetes Coverage Laws!"
Click on that link and send an email to your U.S.
Senators. Sample language is already prepared.

* Know your U.S. Senators or one of their staffers personally or
interested in getting to know them? They are on recess this
week, so schedule a meeting in the district office before March
27th to talk about why S. 1955 will harm people with diabetes.
Use these talking points:
http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i=a3dYEaxp_0rTAUtUNjMfMQ..
for meetings.

* Have five minutes to make a phone call? Phone calls can really
have a big impact. With five minutes, you can call your
Senators' D.C. offices to urge a NO vote on undoing state
mandated health insurance coverage. Use these talking points
http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i=Ud3a2eFEzUXgwrtWDMfg_Q..
for your phone call.

Become more familiar with S. 1955. Access the S. 1955 Fact Sheet and
more.
http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i=2prekjbvQ4G6FGjA0Uudow..

Thank you for your commitment to the Association and your help in its
mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all
people affected by diabetes.

Sincerely,

Lawrence T. Smith
Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association

Please, please, please call your Senators--then go back to the usual Lounge shenanigans.

Thanks.

[LaurenG]

2. I had no clue

Thank you for kicking this as I don't think it's shamelss at all. I have a couple of family members with chronic illnesses. I'm sorry that they're doing this. :hug:

What there aren't enough problems without them causing more? :sarcasm:

[caligirl]

3. They want to claim they are addressing the insurance issues of small

business, while simultaneouly not ticking off big insurance companies like blue shield. Read about the 450,000 debt a junk plan like they propose left a widow in after her husband died of cancer. I believe thats the link above where if you scroll down you can find it. i posted it early this morning. Pulling an all nighter getting more ino out on this.

[caligirl]

4. famous diabetics , you will be shocked,

type 1's
http://members.tripod.com/~welchs2/typeI.html

http://members.tripod.com/~welchs2/typeIb.html

http://members.tripod.com/~welchs2/typeIc.html

type 2's
http://members.tripod.com/~welchs2/typeII.html

http://members.tripod.com/~welchs2/typeIIb.html

type unknown
http://members.tripod.com/~welchs2/typeno1.html


A full list of all known to have or have had diabetes.http://www.diabetic-help.com/fame-dm.txt