DLC and DPAC Joint Statement on Congress' End of Year Spending Package

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Scenario: Congress Passes Clean Continuing Resolution

Joint Statement on Congress’ End of Year Spending Package

December 20, 2024

The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) areprofoundly disappointed that Congress missed a critical opportunity to include proposed pharmacybenefit manager (PBM) reforms in its spending package. By failing to act, lawmakers have left millionsof Americans—especially those living with chronic conditions like diabetes—at the mercy of a brokensystem that drives up prescription drug costs and restricts access to lifesaving treatments.

PBMs continue to exploit their unchecked power, pocketing massive rebates while patients struggle withskyrocketing out-of-pocket costs. These harmful practices force people to choose between their healthand their financial security, a devastating and unacceptable reality for anyone managing a chronicillness.

While this short-term resolution narrowly avoids a government shutdown and includes necessaryextenders, like reauthorization for the Special Diabetes Program and telehealth flexibilities for theMedicare Diabetes Prevention Program, it does nothing to address the systemic failures in our healthcaresystem. We call on the new Congress to reignite efforts in 2025 and deliver bold, long-term solutionsthat hold PBMs accountable, lower drug costs, and put patients back at the center of care.

DPAC and DLC remain unwavering in our commitment to elevate the voices of patients across thecountry and demand meaningful policy change. It’s time to prioritize the health and well-being ofAmericans over corporate profits.

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Scenario: Congress Passes Clean Continuing Resolution

Joint Statement on Congress’ End of Year Spending Package

December 20, 2024

The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) and Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) areprofoundly disappointed that Congress missed a critical opportunity to include proposed pharmacybenefit manager (PBM) reforms in its spending package. By failing to act, lawmakers have left millionsof Americans—especially those living with chronic conditions like diabetes—at the mercy of a brokensystem that drives up prescription drug costs and restricts access to lifesaving treatments.

PBMs continue to exploit their unchecked power, pocketing massive rebates while patients struggle withskyrocketing out-of-pocket costs. These harmful practices force people to choose between their healthand their financial security, a devastating and unacceptable reality for anyone managing a chronicillness.

While this short-term resolution narrowly avoids a government shutdown and includes necessaryextenders, like reauthorization for the Special Diabetes Program and telehealth flexibilities for theMedicare Diabetes Prevention Program, it does nothing to address the systemic failures in our healthcaresystem. We call on the new Congress to reignite efforts in 2025 and deliver bold, long-term solutionsthat hold PBMs accountable, lower drug costs, and put patients back at the center of care.

DPAC and DLC remain unwavering in our commitment to elevate the voices of patients across thecountry and demand meaningful policy change. It’s time to prioritize the health and well-being ofAmericans over corporate profits.