Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed expanding the Diabetes Prevention Program within Medicare starting January 1, 2018.  Sen. Chuck Grassley is an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act of 2015, which would help make sure Medicare addresses diabetes prevention rather than simply manage the disease.  CMS’ proposal achieves the legislation’s goal.  Grassley made the following comment:

“If someone is at high risk for diabetes, it makes sense to try to help that person prevent developing diabetes.   This is a serious disease with serious complications, including premature death.  Preventing it is important to a person’s health and quality of life.   It’s also important to controlling Medicare costs.   CMS has evidence that a pilot program was a success, and it’s time to expand it beyond a pilot program.  I welcome this news.”

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