FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 24, 2010
Contact: Erikka Knuti (202) 603-4600; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Diabetes Epidemic: Another Reason Repeal Would Hurt America
New study shows wellness and prevention provisions of the Affordable Care Act are critically important to fighting diabetes
Washington, D.C. — The Health Information Campaign (HIC) calls the new health care law critically important to reducing the spread of diabetes and curbing its cost to the nation's health care system. A report released yesterday revealed the devastating impact diabetes will have on our country if not addressed. The wellness and prevention provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provide access to early detection and intervention measures recommended in the report to reverse the nation's prognosis.
"Diabetes doesn't have to be an epidemic if we don't let it. The Affordable Care Act gives millions of Americans new tools to help themselves and intervene in the course of this disease." said HIC President Andrew Grossman. "Repealing the health care law would leave us on course to see over half the country affected by a disease that in most cases is preventable."
The UnitedHealth Group report, projected more than half of all Americans will have diabetes or be pre-diabetic by 2020 at a cost of $3.35 trillion to the U.S. health care system. Diabetes is the fastest growing disease in the United States, and the majority of cases can be prevented entirely. In all cases, effective management of the disease dramatically reduces patients' health care costs. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) promotes early detection, provides free screening for high-risk factors, and ensures access to treatment.
However, the vast majority of diabetics do not realize how the new law will improve their access to care and help reduce their costs. According to a Harvard School of Public Health survey released Monday, only 14 percent of diabetics believe they'll be better off under the new law. Specifically, the law helps fight diabetes the following ways:
- Prevention: Creates a National Diabetes Prevention Program which provides funding for community-based prevention programs aimed at adults at high risk for diabetes.
- Wellness: Requires new health plans to offer obesity and dietary counseling. Obesity is the leading cause of diabetes. If treated effectively, the on-set of type-2 diabetes can be prevented entirely.
- Early Detection: Provides access to free screenings for high-risk indicators such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 67 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes and 90 percent of them do not know it. Treating pre-diabetes can slow the development of type 2 diabetes.
- Reducing costs: Effective early intervention in the disease life-cycle will lower the cost of managing the disease. Based on data from UnitedHealth Group members, in 2009 the average annual cost of health care for a diabetic was $11,700. The cost jumped to $20,700 for a person with complications from the disease. Complications from diabetes included heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, blindness, and circulatory disease that can lead to amputation.
- Stable Care: Bans "lifetime limits" on benefits, which means diabetics don't have to worry about "maxing out" on their coverage or going bankrupt. And soon, diabetics will no longer be denied coverage because they have a pre-existing condition.
Earlier this fall HIC launched "America's Fair Health Care" to provide resources and information about the law's implementation, and a national ad campaign to educate the public about the provisions of the new law taking effect. HIC is a non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the Affordable Care Act.
"Under new plans, no child under age 19 will be denied coverage for a pre-existing conditions, period. Adults who have been without insurance for six months and who have been unable to obtain insurance because of a pre-existing condition, can apply for coverage under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)."
Insurers can no longer cut someone after the fact.
New screening procedures are now in place for health care providers to eliminate fraud and waste in the health care system.
Medicare Part D enrollees who hit the Medicare prescription drug benefit gap in 2010 will automatically receive a $250 rebate check.
Effective immediately, qualified small employers get tax credits of up to 35% of premiums for offering coverage.
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America's new health care law makes it easier for you to find the quality, affordable health care that you and your family need.
