[Diabetes-talk] Resolution 2010-13 - Regarding Insurance Coverage of Accessible Equipment for Diabetics

[Everett Gavel]

Hi All,

Vincent mentioned his resolution recently.  It is
coming out soon in the Braille Monitor, yes, but can
also be found on the Resolutions page here:
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Resolutions.asp?SnID=4

On that page, just click on the '2010 Resolutions'
link.

Or, simply read below.  ;-)


Strive On!
Everett



Resolution 2010-13
Regarding Insurance Coverage of Accessible Equipment
for Diabetics

     WHEREAS, standard medical treatment for diabetics
calls for the patient to monitor blood glucose levels
so that he or she can make adjustments in the amount of
insulin needed; and

     WHEREAS, certain health insurance plans dictate
what brand of diabetic equipment a member must use to
comply with the treatment regimen, claiming that this
strategy controls costs for both the insurer and the
insured; and

     WHEREAS, most insurance companies contract
strictly with one manufacturer, who typically provides
only inaccessible blood glucose meters and inaccessible
insulin injection devices, presenting a serious
obstacle to complying with the testing regimen for tens
of thousands of blind people with diabetes; and

     WHEREAS, the failure to place accessible blood
glucose meters and accessible insulin injection devices
on the insurers' formulary lists not only is a barrier
to independence for blind diabetics, but also adversely
affects their quality of life because of the added
difficulties they must confront in attempting to manage
and control their diabetes; and

     WHEREAS, the only way blind diabetics can acquire
an accessible blood glucose meter or accessible insulin
injection device is through a long and complicated
process of submitting extensive medical documentation,
and approval is not guaranteed; and

     WHEREAS, blind people have the same right to
health care as their sighted peers; and

     WHEREAS, insurance companies must no longer be
allowed to discriminate against blind people because of
their need for specialized equipment; and

     WHEREAS, the denial of accessible equipment by
insurance companies undermines the emphasis on
preventive care set forth in the 2010 federal
healthcare reform legislation: Now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the
Blind in Convention assembled this seventh day of July,
2010, in the city of Dallas, Texas, that this
organization strongly urge the secretary of health and
human services to eliminate discrimination against the
blind by requiring that Medicare, Medicaid, and all
other medical insurance programs under the secretary's
jurisdiction cover accessible equipment for diabetics;
and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization
strongly urge state legislatures and regulators to
eliminate discrimination against the blind by requiring
private medical insurance companies to cover accessible
equipment for diabetics.


** This seems slightly stunted at the end there.
Vincent, or Mike, was there more, or is that the true
ending for this resolution?  Either way, good work, and
thanks for it!  ~Everett.