Policy Resolution HHS-20-50

WHEREAS, more than 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 4 of it is undiagnosed;

WHEREAS, diabetes is the 7^th leading cause of death in the United States;

WHEREAS, in the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese;

WHEREAS, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes—and at an earlier age;

WHEREAS, diabetes is the leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2019, lower-limb amputations, and adult-onset blindness;

WHEREAS, African Americans and other minority communities are at higher risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes;

WHEREAS, during their lifetime, half of all Hispanic men and women and non-Hispanic black women are predicted to develop diabetes;

WHEREAS, a patient who cannot access or take all the insulin they need can result in poorer health outcomes and significant financial costs for the individual and the health care system;

WHEREAS, there are numerous medical conditions that people struggle with the high cost of their medication, and where non-profit, government, and business community help patients with the high out-of-pocket costs of these medications;

WHEREAS, 3,400 drugs have increased in price, a 17 percent increase compared with the nearly 2,900 drug price hikes at the same time in 2018;

WHEREAS, when a patient’s out-of-pocket costs are lower and health care expenses are more consistent throughout the year, adherence rates to medicine increase resulting in better patient health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, many diabetes care organizations currently offer immediate assistance to patients in the United States who are struggling to afford their insulin other medicines, or supplies.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages state policymakers and their membership to increase states’ efforts to inform citizens about all manufacturer-offered, non-profit, state programs, and other existing assistance programs currently available, particularly for people with diabetes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL believes that states should inform pharmacies, pharmacists, and providers about pharmaceutical assistance programs and encourage them to share information about these assistance programs to ensure they have access to affordable medication, including insulin;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL applauds the actions of non-profits, government, and businesses that provide these type of assistance programs to those struggling with the cost of their medication; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the Unites States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative David Mack, III (SC)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Health and Human Services Policy Committee
  
• Certified by Committee Co-Chair: Representative David J. Mack, III (SC)
  
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 6, 2019
  
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President