Enzi Health Insurance Legislation Would Jeopardize Lifesaving Coverage

Bill, S.1955, would allow health insurers to circumvent existing laws in
46 states that guarantee coverage for diabetes medications, supplies and
training

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) expressed its strong opposition to
proposed federal legislation that would enable health insurers to bypass
existing state health insurance regulations. In doing so, the "Health
Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act" (S. 1955) would
result in the loss of critical health coverage guarantees for millions of
people with diabetes. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia
require insurers to provide coverage for diabetes supplies, medication,
equipment and education, but S. 1955 would undermine those basic
protections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)
Committee, chaired by bill sponsor Senator Michael Enzi, will mark up the
bill Wednesday morning. At the markup, Senator Jeff Bingaman will offer an
amendment to protect the diabetes coverage benefit in the states where it
is maintained in state law.

"These protections were enacted over the past decade with the bipartisan
support of legislatures, governors, and state insurance commissioners," L.
Hunter Limbaugh, the ADA's Chair for Advocacy, today wrote Sen. Enzi. "It
has been the Association's experience that without these protections,
state-regulated insurers often do not provide adequate diabetes coverage.
Indeed, in the four current states without mandated diabetes coverage,
insurers often do not provide these life-saving diabetes provisions."
Learn more>>
Legislation Would Jeopardize Lifesaving Coverage

Bristol-Myers Warns People with Diabetes About Tequin: FDA

Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb is warning against the use of the
antibiotic drug Tequin in diabetic patients after reports of several
fatalities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday.

The company is adding a contraindication warning for people with diabetes
to the drug's label as well as strengthening its warning that Tequin can
cause both low and high blood glucose levels in patients, the FDA said.

The label will include warnings that patients who are older, have renal
insufficiency and take other medicine that affects glucose levels can also
be at risk, according to the agency.

"The FDA will continue monitoring Tequin's safety to ensure that its
benefits outweigh the risks to patients," the FDA said in a statement.

Bristol-Myers spokesman Eric Miller said the company's warning was
prompted by reports of "serious cases" of high or low blood glucose among
Tequin patients.
Learn more>>

Bristol-Myers Warns People with Diabetes About Tequin

warning signs

Ever sense I was diagnosed with diabetes I have noticed signs that in the past I had asked my doctor about, but he had no clue why I was having them.

 

I now know what it was about.  Because I had these symptoms for at least a few years.  I know now my diabetes was unmanaged for some time. 

 

The symptoms I had were:

 

Restless leg syndrome

 

numbness in my hands and feet

 

unexplained tiredness

 

tingling in my feet and hands

 

aching feet and swelling

 

leg cramps

 

nausea

 

headaches

 

I am not sure if my symptoms were just a oversight of my doctor?  Or that my symptoms are not the norm?   What I do know is I did see my doctor on several occasions explaining to him these symptoms, and yes blood work was done.  Perhaps he didn't run the right blood test?  I am not sure.  But till this day if my sugar gets a little high one or two of the symptoms will pop up.  The higher my sugar goes the more symptoms I have.   Which leads me to believe to a certain extent that other diabetics may also have warning signs for them to look for. 

 

I am a Type II so I am not sure if a Type I could benefit in knowing what to look for in the line of symptoms.  Or even to look out for symptoms that plague them.  What I do know is I don't think the numbers the doctor gives you for safe levels work for everyone.  My symptoms begin when my sugar is at 139.  So I believe this is my warning level my sugar is too high.  Yours may be different but it's worth a try to check into.  My doctor said my warning level is 200.  So now as you can see the vast difference in the numbers.  

 

This is just my point of view.  Plus what I have observed on my own.  Your mileage may differ.  But I would like for you to prove me wrong.  :)

 

 

Accu-Chek Blood Sugar Meters Recalled

Meters With Certain Serial Numbers May Have Electronic Malfunction. 

Jan. 20, 2006 --The FDA and Roche Diagnostics have announced a voluntary worldwide recall of specific Accu-Chek Aviva meters, which are used by people with diabetes to measure blood sugar levels.

The recall is due to the potential for the meters to have an electronic malfunction, which can cause incorrect readings or make the meter shut down and become unusable. Click for more below...

Accu-Chek Blood Sugar Meters Recalled

FDA Approves Inhalable Insulin

WASHINGTON -- The first inhalable version of insulin won federal approval Friday, giving millions of adult diabetics an alternative to some of the injections they now endure.

The Food and Drug Administration said the Pfizer Inc. insulin, to be marketed as "Exubera," is the first new way of delivering insulin since the discovery of the hormone in the 1920s.  ...

 

This is so cool!  I sure hope this drug doesn't try to kill all of us!  If it doesn't it will be the best thing to happen sense apple pie!  With todays new drugs though you just never know what will happen till you take it. 

FDA Approves Inhalable Insulin

New York Adopts Code to Monitor People with Diabetes

NEW YORK - Hoping to save hundreds of lives, New York adopted a health code regulation Wednesday that will make it the first American city to keep track of people with diabetes in much the same way it does with patients infected with HIV or tuberculosis.

The city will occasionally use its database to prod diabetics to take better care of themselves.

The policy breaks new ground because it involves the collection of information about people who have a disease that is neither contagious nor caused by an environmental toxin. It has also raised privacy concerns in some quarters.

Amazing!

N.Y. Adopts New Code

Many Docs Reluctant to Prescribe Insulin

Case in point my doctor.  I have to about starve at times to get my numbers down.  It's not so much as me eating the wrong foods because I don't eat the wrong foods.  My diet is very healthy.  I barely eat anything with sugar in it.  Most of the times its a mistake on my part not knowing what the ingredients are in the food.  One or two bites and I am done.  But my doctor claims diet alone is key to control.  I asked about meds he said no.  I told him I am having to go for hours without eating.  He said "Keep up the good work"  I haven't been back to see him in three months now.  I am so upset.  Unfortunately he is the only doctor in my town. 

 

Many Docs Reluctant to Prescribe Insulin

 

 

 

New Diabetes Drug Poses Major Risks, Panel Says

Review Finds FDA Overlooked Data on Life-Threatening Cardiovascular Effects of Pargluva...

It looks as though one of the drug company's is suffering from a major blow. They have a promising drug but the side effects are, or could kill the type II patient. It seems as though they want to stop a major catastrophe before it could happen. But its a shame that the diabetic could loose a promising drug due to side effects. You can't complain though about the thought of this drug being pulled. It's better for the drug to be pulled than have a major out break of Cardiovascular problems among the diabetic community. So for once they are putting saftey first instead of potential money they could earn. The FDA should of asked for additinal time to Bristol-Myers to do a study on just the cardiovascular problem issue though.

I believe the FDA is falling short when it comes to safety on the drugs they approve. They better watch it because if they keep messing up like this they may find all their jobs replaced with competent workers. Seems like there is a lot of screwups. I admit you can't blame this all on the FDA the drug companies have to take some of the responsibility too. But I just think the FDA is too quick to approve a drug. There must be a certain criteria for them to follow though, and the drug company's must follow it, and maybe even a probation period for the drug, with doctors watching their patient closely. Plus they must stop doctors forcing these new drugs on their patients. It should be volunteer effort. I shouldn't have to go to my doctor fighting to get a older drug that is as good and cheaper. I have had this problem for some time now. I have been refused to change a prescription, take what was offered or nothing at all.

New Diabetes Drug Poses Major Risk

CDC say that diabetes has risen by over 14 percent in the last two years.

Newly released statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) illustrate that diabetes has risen by over 14 percent in
the last two years.  The CDC estimates that 20.8 million Americans - 7
percent of the U.S. population  have diabetes, up from 18.2 million in
2003.  Nearly a third of these Americans are undiagnosed. According to the American Diabetes Association (the Association), the new numbers highlight the growing diabetes epidemic in the United States and reinforce the need for increased research and prevention. The CDC's report also demonstrates the need for all Americans with diabetes to have access to affordable and adequate health care.

"This study confirms what we already know: diabetes is one of this
country's most prolific and deadly diseases," said Robert A. Rizza, MD,
President of the American Diabetes Association. "Diabetes touches all of
us in some way, which is why we must continue to work together to find a
cure for diabetes and to improve the lives of the nearly 21 million
Americans affected by diabetes."
Learn more>>
CDC say that diabetes has risen by over 14 percent in the last two years.

Children With Diabetes Sue School Districts

I told you this would happen!

12-OCT-2005

Children With Diabetes Sue School Districts, State For Assistance; Denial of Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Administration During the School Day Challenged

Unprecedented Class Action Civil Rights Complaint Filed In Federal Court

(OCTOBER 11, 2005, Oakland, CA) ? Four elementary school-age students, along with the American Diabetes Association, filed an unprecedented civil rights complaint today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking class action relief against the California Superintendent of Public Schools, the California Department of Education, members of the California Board of Education, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the Fremont Unified School District, and their Superintendents and Boards of Trustees. The suit asks the Court to compel public school officials to comply with federal law by providing the assistance that California students with diabetes require to manage their diabetes during the school day.

The complaint alleges that the state and the local districts violate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable federal regulations in their failure to ensure the health and safety of public school students with diabetes in Kindergarten through 12th Grade by providing insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, proper care in emergency situations, and other appropriate diabetes care...

Read the rest at this link:

Children With Diabetes Sue School Districts

bird flu pandemic

While people try to make sense of the  bird flu pandemic that may happen in years to come. A few others are trying to figure out whom is most at risk for such a outbreak.  Most of the public is more worried about whom this flu may affect in their family's.  Plus just how many could really die if this flu were to mutate and enter the human chain.

 

I would be more concerned with the elderly, and children.  Third world countries are at high risk also.  But so are the people that are all ready fighting a battle against a disease they already have.  This includes diabetics.  I am sure those that don't have their diabetes in control, or don't even know they have diabetes will be at a higher risk. 

 

Yes those that are more inclined to be in crowds will be at a higher risk than your person that lives by them selves, and doesn't get out that much.  Precautions taken everytime they leave their home, and return home will be a must for everyone.  I just can't imagine how a person that doesn't keep up with the times expects to survive this. 

 

Then of course their are people who don't believe this will even happen unless man is involved in its demise. 

 

It will truly be survival for the fittest, but also for the smartest.

 

Hopefully this wont happen.  I can't imagine living in a town with over half of its occupants gone.  Neither can I imagine loosing loved ones.   Plan now just incase.    

prescriptions

Have you taken a list to your diabetes doctor showing him what prescriptions you are taking?  If not then you should.  There is a list of drugs that will cause your diabetes to have highs and lows.  Be sure that your doctor has a list of prescriptions that you take at all times.  Plus remind the druggist that you are diabetic and you need to know if the new prescription will affect it in any way.  This is especially true if you are under the care of several doctors. 

Busy again!

Spoiling another new granddaughter! 

 

Name: Trinity Rosantina

Born: September 18, 2005 at 11:12am

weight: 8 pounds 2 ounces

length: 20 and one half inches long

 

 

Inhaled insulin may mean end for diabetic injections

This is so cool.  But I worry that they may be putting something on the market that none of them know what the long term effects will be.  At the same time though.  It a nice step forward for diabetics. 

 

Inhaled insulin may mean end for diabetic injections

 

 

Katrina survivors

It's been a week now since Katrina left her deadly path behind.  For some of those who survived the ordeal.  The flashbacks may have started because before they were rescued they only had one thing on their mind and that was "Survival". 

 

It is very important for all the family's to know that even though your children may look picture perfect.  They may not be.  Yes children have a resilience that all adults wish they had.  A bounce back affect, and a means to conform to their surroundings.  But because of what they went through.  Some wont talk about it.  Others, will be told not to talk about it.  They will be told to hush it's in the past now, so move on. 

 

It's important for all adults to know that your children were seeing the aftermath of hurricane Katrina from their eyes.  Not yours.  Their understanding of the aftermath will not reflect the same meanings, nor will they recall the devastation in the same light as you had.  They are children.  So they will recall things differently. 

 

Don't shun their recalling of the devastation.  Don't tell them to hush because it's over with now. 

 

It's not over with now.  Before they were in survival mode just like you was.  Now the feelings as well as the memories will come out.   Be there for them.  Don't tell them what they saw.  Let them tell you. Their recollection will be far different from yours. They have little eyes.  Their little eyes will forever have Katrina etched in their minds.  Even the smallest of the survivors have a story to tell.  They will be forever etched in the landscape as the survivors of katrina.  Just like you will be.  You will always have a story to tell, and so will your children.  Be a listener.

 

 

One small effort to help the Type II Diabetic

Here is the beef...  You go online because you are just diagnosed as a Type II diabetic.  You need information, a food list of acceptable foods, and some hints on how to get started exercising.  The exercising is pretty simple enough.  You just need some ideas so you don't get bored to death. You can find that pretty much everywhere.  But you can't find information on the food.  Because everyone gears their diets towards the Type I diabetic.  When your watching the numbers, and you find out your doctor has put restrictions on salt, carbs, and sugar.  You want to see a website geared towards you as a Type II diabetic.   You don't want to have to go to the Atkins diet for one thing, and exercise at another, and so on and so on.  So as it stands, there is no one stop place online for type II's that have everything for them all bundled and ready to read and print out.  I don't have the time for this kind of endeavor.  So hopefully someone is listening out there.  If you do have one already, or know where there is one online then those key words in the header suck on that website.  Anyway, post them under the comments section.  I would like to see them. 

snake oils and cure scams

There are plenty cures and remedies on the market for diabetes.  But none of them are real.  Face it if there was cures they would be all over the 6'oclock news.  NBC would have a field day of it.  Plus CBS too.  No way would the news stations brush off a cure for diabetes. 

 

 Kevin Trudeau has been severely slammed by the FTC his infomercials for Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About - are still running.  Despite FTC actions that go back over a decade that bans him from appearing in, producing, or disseminating future infomercials that advertise any type of product, service, or program to the public, except for truthful infomercials for informational publications. In addition, Trudeau cannot make disease or health benefits claims for any type of product, service, or program in any advertising, including print, radio, Internet, television, and direct mail solicitations, regardless of the format and duration. But he can write a book! I can't help to think about the many people whom have spent their hard earned money on this mans frivolous claims.  He was proven a fraud by the FTC but the man keeps on with his BS.  And the public is duped into buying the nonsense because the infomercials are still on the air. 

 

Gosh maybe we ALL are in the wrong bussiness because it sure looks like this man didn't learn any lessons.  Plus he has made millions on his claims.  His book is in the number one spot. 

 

Why bring this up?  Because people looking for cures need to do their homework before throwing their money away.  Just because the people have a infomercial doesn't mean that the product is worthy of a purchase.  Check out the person, and ask yourself if their claims on the infomercial make sense.   If you ask me... They are out to make a buck regardless of what it does to the public.   His book is very miss leading.  Because he is claiming a cure for not just diabetes, but for all of the major diseases that are out there. That is your first clue that the man or any of them like him have no remorse for the public, and they only want to fill their pockets with YOUR money.   Because if his claims or anyone like him claims were true, our world would be disease free.  Is our world disease free?

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

In 1990 America passed the most promising law there is to protect people whom were disabled.  This law I believe was to make it fair to all people not just a select few.  So this law helps to protect the disabled, but it also protects business to a certain extent too. 

 

This is the most touchy of subjects because some feel that a person can abuse this law.  I am sure some could.  They could tie a business establishment in court trying to prove a frivolous case.  But they could also tie them up in court to prove that the case has merit.

 

But in my last blog post does the act of telling someone to test elsewhere but not in their restaurant constitute a violation?  Well it depends.  First... and I am just guessing here, I believe that the person would have to prove they were prejudice or maybe downright against any diabetic testing in the restaurant.  I don't think the act of just the one employee is enough to sue the restaurant.  I could be wrong though.  But if the manager had backed up the waitress then yes I believe you would of had a case against them.   

 

Can this really happen?  Yes it can! Some of our schools in America right now will not allow a student to test on school grounds.  They site it is dangerous for the school, and other reasons.  I am sure they also are afraid if they allow a diabetic to test on school grounds they will have to permit others to test also that have a totally different disease.  Plus if a diabetic is allowed to keep their testing supplies, and medication on them then so should others be allowed too that have another type disease. 

 

Is this practice fair?  Hell no it's not fair!   When a child has diabetes the parent is in a struggle at times making sure their child does their testing, and taking their meds plus watching their diet in a timely manner.  When a school tells them no they are actually not following medical advice, or dieticians advice.  They are throwing out everything that is being taught to these children and it's just like saying "To hell with you your on school property now."  The parents and their medical team are teaching them one thing, and the school system is teaching them the total opposite.

 

For these students diabetes doesn't end at the school door.  and then start back up as soon as they get home.  Many parents I have read about, and talked too say their children are being poisoned to a certain extent.  Some parents are having a rough time of it trying to control their child's diabetes. 

 

Some States are passing laws to protect children by ordering all schools to have a nurse available at all times to attend to these children and others with diseases.  They make sure the child stays on target, and are following the plan outlined by their medical team.  Many States are still not doing this.  It seems these few States need to open their eyes wide because before you know it a parent will come forward and cry fowl, and then take their school system to court.  They wont have a frivolous case.  They will have the Americans with Disabilities Act on their side.

 

{Directed at staff} Testing in a restaurant

For diabetics it's a fact of life that testing and injecting can not always happen in the ideal place.  Sometimes your in a public place, and your caught between a rock and a hard place deciding just how favorable a public establishment will accept your curse. 

 

Some are very sympathetic, others want you to run to the bathroom into a bathroom stall.  While others want you to do the testing at home and avoid their establishment all together. 

 

But this is not always possible.  Plus at the most it is not sanitary for a diabetic to test in any public bathroom.  (My Doctor said no testing in public restrooms)  Plus depending on how good of a restaurant your going too, you may end up at one, and waiting up to a hour for the meal to arrive which could do more harm to the diabetic if they tested before leaving home, or even in the vehicle before entering. This is so very true if they are on insulin.  

 

We have far more diabetics today than we did twenty years ago.  So chances of you seeing a diabetic test in a restaurant, or you even being a diabetic testing in any establishment  are greater than twenty years ago.   

You don't always have the ideal location.  Trying to be discreet is very hard to do in a public place that is packed with customers. 

 

Restaurant owners listen up! 

 

It's not fair, and your putting a diabetic at risk asking them to step into a bathroom stall to test in your restaurant.  Please talk to your personnel about this subject.  A insulin dependant diabetic has to test before they eat and they have to inject a dose of insulin.  For the most part they are discreet and don't cause a scene.  They will at times have a few drops of blood to fall.  But for the most part this is a rare incident to have happen.

Some are able to test in the car before entering.  But not all diabetics can do this.  But under no circumstances can any business tell them they can't do it!  Because quite a few diabetics have to have a very accurate, and as close to a meal as possible test done so they don't have a hypo from trying to guess the right amount of insulin.  If you insist on this otherwise then I guess you will have quite a few hypo incidents in your restaurants in the near future.  That is far worse than having a discreet diabetic at the table testing.  Please talk to your staff about this, and develop a good way to talk with your staff on how to handle this type of situation if it ever should arise.  Because if you keep telling the diabetics no, then eventually you will be loosing quite a few customers because of this.  Diabetic is not a rare word anymore.  Chances are getting higher than ever that you will have a family member that will have to deal with it.  It's not a discriminating disease.   It need not to cause problems in a restaurant when it comes to testing. It should not cause a problem in any public establishment.   Just one employee that has a problem with it can cause headaches for you.  Please attend to this. 

 

Thank you!

I have been very busy Lately!

Spoiling my new granddaughter! 

 

Name: Annalise Liberty

Born: July 21, 2005 at 11:18pm

weight: 6 pounds 3 ounces

length: 19 inches