Explore

Congresswoman Diana DeGette Steps Down as Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Rep. Kim Schrier to Succeed Her

Congresswoman Diana DeGette Steps Down as Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Rep. Kim Schrier to Succeed Her

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 a...

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Co-chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Co-chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA) has been named the new Co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, taking over from Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), who held the position since 1999. This announcement was made on September 21, 2026. Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer Lynn Starr expressed gratitude for Congresswoman DeGette's extensive contributions, which included securing over $2.5 billion for T1D research through the Special Diabetes Program, advancing stem cell research, and accelerating innovative T1D therapies via the 21st Century Cures Act. Representative Schrier, a pediatrician and the only current member of Congress living with Type 1 diabetes, is seen as a highly suitable successor. Her personal and professional background is expected to provide valuable insight and leadership to the caucus, ensuring continued advocacy for the diabetes community.

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Introduces Resolution to Preserve Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Cancer Patients

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Introduces Resolution to Preserve Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Cancer Patients

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell has introduced a resolution aimed at ensuring continuous Medicaid coverage for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. The resolution addresses concerns that interruptions in coverage create significant risk and hardship for patients. According to the release, over 75% of cancer patients have reportedly delayed or skipped treatment due to administrative issues with third-party systems. Furthermore, some states are said to require repeated verification of a patient's condition, even when Medicaid already possesses the necessary information. Representative Dingell emphasized that patients should not face treatment delays because of 'bureaucratic red tape.' The resolution has received endorsement from Less Cancer, an organization dedicated to cancer prevention and patient advocacy. This legislative effort highlights a critical gap in healthcare access and continuity for vulnerable populations battling cancer.

Representative Nanette Barragán Advocates for Brain Health Initiatives at Summit

Representative Nanette Barragán Advocates for Brain Health Initiatives at Summit

Representative Nanette Barragán, a California Democrat representing the 44th district, delivered remarks at the recent Brain Health Summit. Barragán is recognized as a strong advocate for brain health across all age groups, encompassing rare pediatric care, Alzheimer's disease advocacy, and support for both patients and caregivers. Her participation in the summit underscores her commitment to promoting brain health for everyone by leveraging her legislative position to support individuals affected by brain diseases and disorders, and to enhance access to preventative measures. This engagement highlights ongoing efforts within Congress to address critical health issues and ensure comprehensive care for neurological conditions.

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene Introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act to Address Hospice Care for ESRD Patients

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene Introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act to Address Hospice Care for ESRD Patients

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Penn.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) have introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that hospice patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) can continue to receive dialysis treatment. Currently, hospice care is underutilized among ESRD patients, partly because the prospect of giving up dialysis deters many from entering hospice. Dialysis is considered life-sustaining curative care, which traditionally conflicts with the hospice model focused on palliative care without curative intent. The proposed act seeks to clarify Medicare coverage policies for palliative dialysis and establish separate reimbursement for these services when provided by renal dialysis facilities and other qualified providers to individuals who have elected hospice care. This initiative addresses a significant gap in healthcare provision for a vulnerable patient population.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Address High Heart Disease Risk in South Asian Americans

Bipartisan Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Address High Heart Disease Risk in South Asian Americans

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has reintroduced the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act. This legislation aims to increase federal research, public awareness, and culturally appropriate programs to address the disproportionately high incidence of heart disease among South Asian Americans. Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Joe Wilson, along with Senator Cory Booker, introduced the bill. The measure would authorize the U.S. health secretary to provide grants to states for programs focusing on communities severely affected by cardiovascular disease. The bill also seeks to ensure that research funding is directed towards risk factors that have not received adequate attention. South Asians in the United States face four times the risk of heart disease compared to the general population, with nearly two-thirds of middle-aged South Asian Americans facing an intermediate or high risk of heart failure within the next decade. The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragan...

What to know about USAID and the deadly impacts of US foreign aid cuts

What to know about USAID and the deadly impacts of US foreign aid cuts

The foreign aid landscape has changed dramatically since U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration dissolved the United States Agency for International Development, once the world’s largest humanitarian donor

Breakthrough T1D and Medical Organizations Establish Global Type 1 Diabetes Screening Schedule for Children

Breakthrough T1D and Medical Organizations Establish Global Type 1 Diabetes Screening Schedule for Children

Breakthrough T1D, in collaboration with 20 major diabetes and medical organizations worldwide, has established a new clinical framework for integrating general population screening for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) into routine pediatric healthcare. Published in Diabetologia, the official journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), this International Consensus Guidance outlines a simple blood test to detect islet autoantibodies in the early stages of T1D. The recommended screening schedule involves three age windows: the first screen between ages 2 and 4, a second screen between ages 6 and 8 if the first is negative, and a final routine screen between ages 10 and 15. A 'catch-up' screening is also recommended for children not previously tested, and a one-time screening after age 15 is advised for adolescents and adults. This initiative aims to identify T1D before symptoms appear, allowing for proactive treatment and management.

Representative David Valadao Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation for Essential Health System Designation

Representative David Valadao Co-Leads Bipartisan Legislation for Essential Health System Designation

Representative David Valadao (R-Calif.) is co-leading bipartisan legislation, H.R. 7145, aimed at establishing a federal definition for 'essential health systems.' This bill, reintroduced in January, seeks to provide Congress with a mechanism to direct support towards foundational members of the nation's healthcare safety net. The legislation is gaining traction in the House, attracting several new cosponsors from both Democratic and Republican parties. The initiative comes as Congress returns to Capitol Hill with a busy agenda, including addressing legislative and policy priorities before the end of the year, and amid a political environment increasingly shaped by upcoming elections. The bill's progress is part of broader efforts to advance essential hospitals' priority advocacy issues.

Reps. Bilirakis and Veasey Lead Bipartisan Effort for Children's Vision Health Legislation

Reps. Bilirakis and Veasey Lead Bipartisan Effort for Children's Vision Health Legislation

Prevent Blindness is leveraging World Sight Day activities to advocate for the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act, HR 2527. This bipartisan bill is co-led by Congressional Vision Caucus co-chairs Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Marc A. Veasey (D-Texas). The proposed legislation aims to establish a federal program specifically dedicated to children's vision and eye health, focusing on coordinated systems of care. Prevent Blindness plans to launch an advocacy campaign to encourage partners to disseminate information about the bill and urge members of Congress to support its sponsorship. Currently, over 115 organizations have publicly endorsed the legislation. In addition to legislative advocacy, Prevent Blindness is organizing various World Sight Day activities, including vision screenings, educational programs, and professional resources. These efforts also include a new continuing education opportunity for optometrists, with Children’s Wisconsin launching a 'Safeguarding Sight: ...

Congress Introduces Resolution for Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day

Congress Introduces Resolution for Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day

A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to designate September 20th as Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day. The resolution was put forth by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), with Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) among its cosponsors. This initiative, established in 2023 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations about suicide prevention within the pharmacy profession. The resolution highlights that healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, face an increased risk of suicide due to chronic understaffing, heavy workloads, administrative burdens, frequent interruptions, and aggressive performance expectations. These pressures not only affect individual well-being but also impact patient safety and the long-term sustainability of the profession.

Rep. John Carter Supports Bipartisan ASAP Act for Medicare Coverage of Alzheimer's Blood Tests

Rep. John Carter Supports Bipartisan ASAP Act for Medicare Coverage of Alzheimer's Blood Tests

Rep. John Carter is advocating for the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which aims to enable Medicare coverage for FDA-approved blood tests designed to detect Alzheimer’s biomarkers. Currently, Medicare regulations prohibit coverage for any dementia screening test for individuals without symptoms, creating a significant barrier to early detection. The ASAP Act seeks to rectify this legal impediment, offering a more scalable and accessible diagnostic approach compared to previous methods. This legislative effort is highlighted by Stephenie Evans, a former caregiver from Belton, Texas, who emphasizes the critical difference early detection can make for families affected by Alzheimer's. Her personal experience with her grandmother, who lived with Alzheimer's for a decade, underscores the potential for earlier diagnoses to improve quality of life and allow families more time to prepare for the future. The initiative aligns with global efforts to raise awareness and challenge the stig...