What's Happening?
Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, have announced that Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) will become the new Democratic Co-Chair for the 120th Congress. Congresswoman DeGette has
co-led the Caucus since 1999, making her tenure nearly the entire existence of the organization. During her leadership, the Caucus grew to become one of the largest and most influential bipartisan member organizations in the U.S. Congress, with 246 members. Congresswoman DeGette has been a driving force behind significant advancements in diabetes care, prevention, and research, including securing over $2.5 billion in funding for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research through the Special Diabetes Program and expanding the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) budget to over $2.3 billion. She also championed stem cell research, improved coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and led efforts to establish the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). Even in her final months in Congress, she is actively working to pass the INSULIN Act.
Why It's Important?
This leadership transition marks a significant moment for diabetes advocacy in the U.S. Congress. Congresswoman DeGette's two-decade tenure has profoundly impacted millions of Americans living with diabetes by securing substantial funding for research, improving access to life-saving technologies, and advocating for policies to lower insulin costs. Her efforts have laid crucial groundwork for major PBM reforms and policies aimed at bringing lower-cost biosimilar insulins to the market. The incoming Co-Chair, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, brings a unique perspective as a pediatrician and the only sitting member of Congress living with Type 1 diabetes. Her firsthand experience is expected to provide invaluable insight into the daily realities and needs of the diabetes community, ensuring continued focus on patient-centered policies. This continuity of dedicated leadership is vital for maintaining momentum in the ongoing fight against diabetes, particularly in areas of research, affordability of medications, and access to quality care, which directly affect the health and economic well-being of over 40 million Americans with diabetes and 115 million with prediabetes.
What's Next?
Congresswoman Kim Schrier will join Congressman Gus Bilirakis in leading the Congressional Diabetes Caucus in the 120th Congress. The Caucus is expected to continue its bipartisan work to improve diabetes care, lower costs, and advance life-saving research with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. A key immediate focus for Congresswoman DeGette in her final months will be leading the charge in the House to pass the INSULIN Act before the year's end, which aims to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs. Congresswoman Schrier has also been a leader on insulin affordability, having recently helped introduce the bipartisan INSULIN Act of 2026. Stakeholders such as the American Diabetes Association, the Diabetes Leadership Council, the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, and the Endocrine Society have expressed their commitment to working with the new leadership to advance policies that benefit people living with diabetes. The Caucus will also continue its mission to educate members of Congress and their staff about diabetes and support legislative activities that improve research, education, and treatment.
Beyond the Headlines
The transition in leadership of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus highlights the growing recognition of the personal and societal impact of chronic diseases like diabetes within legislative bodies. Congresswoman Schrier's appointment, as a physician and a person living with Type 1 diabetes, underscores a broader trend towards electing representatives with direct, lived experience of the issues they legislate. This personal connection can foster more empathetic and effective policymaking, potentially leading to more innovative and patient-centric solutions. The sustained bipartisan effort within the Caucus, exemplified by the long-standing collaboration between Congresswoman DeGette and Congressman Bilirakis, demonstrates the potential for cross-party cooperation on critical public health issues. This model of collaboration could serve as a blueprint for addressing other complex health challenges, emphasizing shared goals over political divisions. The ongoing legislative push for the INSULIN Act also reflects a national conversation about pharmaceutical pricing and access to essential medicines, a debate with significant ethical and economic dimensions for the U.S. healthcare system.
