On June 8 and 9, AADE hosted its tenth annual Public Policy Forum in Rosemont, Illinois. The event was packed with more than 90 AADE advocates from 33 states ready to engage with their legislators and stand up for diabetes education and people with diabetes.

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.

Finally, AADE advocates received first-rate advocacy training from the Alliance for Patient Access and a panel of lobbying experts, consisting of retired legislators and advocacy professionals. The weekend concluded with all attendees making an advocacy commitment to engage with their colleagues and professional communities to help advance the cause of diabetes education.

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