APMA Hosts Congressional Briefing Emphasizing Urgent Need to Advance the Diabetes Foot Bill

APMA hosted a congressional briefing on April 23 in observance of Foot Health Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of passing HR 7905/S 4070, the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act. Speakers at the briefing included Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, President of the Maryland Podiatric Medical Association; Dyane Tower, DPM, Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Medical Director for APMA; Edward Hickey, President of the American Association of Kidney Patients; and Chad Appel, Vice President of Advocacy for APMA.

Congressional staffers heard from panelists on the current barriers prescribing and furnishing therapeutic shoes in Medicare, highlighting how the provisions of the legislation would improve patient outcomes, reduce health-care costs, and improve timely access to diabetic care. Panelists showed attendees a therapeutic shoe, explaining their clinical impact of reducing complications like diabetic ulceration. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL), co-lead of the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act, delivered opening remarks on his current efforts to advance the legislation. David Steury, Health Policy Director for Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), spoke on Representative DeGette's ongoing leadership as a co-lead of the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act and her commitment to reforming these outdated documentation requirements.

Panelists reinforced the urgent need for Congress to modernize the Medicare therapeutic shoe benefit to reduce unnecessary delays for vulnerable patients with diabetes.

APMA needs your help to continue the momentum: Use our eAdvocacy Alert to urge your lawmakers to cosponsor the legislation!

Cosponsor the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act (Physician Alert)