Abstract
On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Americans will head to the polls to vote for president, their congressional representatives, and state and local elected officials. With the flood of competing information and campaign ads leading up to the 2020 elections, it can be difficult to keep up with candidates’ positions on health care and how those positions might impact access to care for people with diabetes and the overall health care system. ADCES has developed a resource document to assist members in evaluating the health care proposals offered by candidates for public office at all levels—local, state, and federal.
ADCES believes there are certain core principles central to ensuring access to care for those affected by or at risk for diabetes. Highlighting these core issues can provide a lens through which diabetes care and education specialists (DCES) can review campaign platforms and candidates’ health care proposals. This resource document outlines ADCES’ core principles and offers different ways for DCES to learn more about a candidate’s position on health care, find election information, define commonly used terms, and identify meaningful ways to engage with candidates for public office.
As health care providers, DCES understand the real-life implications of policies and laws. Getting involved in the political process provides an opportunity to shape policies, build relationships, and advocate for improvements in the health care system.
Visit diabeteseducator.org/advocacy to download a copy of this election resource document.
ADCES Core Principles:
Health care proposals must seek to enhance access to and affordability of services, medications, devices, and supplies for people with diabetes.
Health care proposals must support high-quality care and guarantee coverage of the comprehensive set of essential health services required by people with diabetes to manage the disease.
Health care proposals must support the development of and access to innovative medications, devices, supplies, and technologies in the management and treatment of diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Overall, health care proposals must promote the development and implementation of programs that reduce costs, improve care, and foster innovation.