sample DSMT letter to legislators

01/23/2012

A sample letter is shown below that you can customize quickly and send to your Representative regarding DSMT legislation. A link to a "word" version of the document can be accessed through the link at the bottom of the letter.

February X, 2012

 

The Honorable XX XXX

U.S. Congress

XX room number XX House Office Building

Washington, DC

Or

Senator XX XXX. 

XX Senate Office Building

Washington, DC

 

Dear Mr. X

Or Dear Senator X

 

Re:  H.R. 2787 and S.1468

 

My name is XX and I live in (city, state).  I am (add title and employer if applicable) and am a diabetes educator who is certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE).  I am writing today to ask that you support (add number H.R. 2787 for your Congressman) or (S.1468 for your Senator) the Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2011. 

 

In the past the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have introduced legislation to improve diabetes self-management training.  Unfortunately, these legislative initiatives have not become law.  As I am sure you know, diabetes is a major healthcare concern that affects many people in our state, and throughout this country.  As a Certified Diabetes Educator® (CDE®), I know the importance of this legislation. 

 

Certified diabetes educators should be authorized providers of Medicare diabetes outpatient self-management training services, including as part of telehealth services, under Medicare Part B.  Additionally, the barriers that continue to exist for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes that prevent them from using their benefits to access self-management must be identified and removed.   And finally, determining effective outreach methods to educate primary care physicians and the public about the benefits of diabetes self-management training is a must.  Fortunately, if this legislation is passed, these things can be accomplished. 

 

(If you have a short personal example of how you have helped an individual with diabetes please add it here)

 

I respectfully request that you become a co-sponsor of the Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2011.

 

Best Regards,

 

 

Click here for a microsoft word version of the sample letter.