AADE recently welcomed Kate Thomas as the new Director of Advocacy. Prior to joining AADE, Kate served as the Senior Director of Advocacy and Reimbursement for the American Academy of Audiology focusing on legislative and regulatory policy on both the federal and state level. Kate received her bachelor’s degree from Boston University in internal relations and earned a master’s degree in health communication from the Johns Hopkins University. Kate was able to attend the 2018 AADE Public Policy Forum and enjoyed meeting and learning from all of the wonderful advocates and speakers.

Joining Kate at the Public Policy Forum in Rosemont, IL, were more than 90 AADE member-advocates from 33 states. A highlight from the weekend was a keynote address from Pollster Bill McInturff, who conducts polling for NBC News, the Wall Street Journal and CNBC, followed by a discussion about the role healthcare issues will likely play in the 2018 midterm elections. Dr. Gary Puckrein of the National Minority Quality Forum discussed population health and expanding access to diabetes education. A panel of AADE members who have been leaders in Advocacy discussed their challenges and accomplishments over the past year, including the veto of Medicaid CGM coverage in California, the passage of a Diabetes Action Plan in Indiana, and the passage of an emergency prescription refill bill in Pennsylvania. 

AADE’s Washington representatives from Baker Donelson also had the chance to update members on the federal priorities AADE is monitoring, including HR 5768 — the Expanding Access to DSMT Act of 2018. Click here to learn more about HR 5768, and how you can take action.

Miss the Public Policy Forum? View the slides from all of the presentations online here. Want to get more involved with Advocacy? Email Ashley at aurisman@aadenet.org.