Diabetes Pro Quarterly - Spring 2014 - (Page 1)

SPRING 2014 DiabetesPro QUARTERLY A M E R I C A N D I A B E T ES A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S FO R P R O FES S I O N A L M E M B E R S New Laws in Southeastern States Keep Students with Diabetes 'Safe at School' New "Safe at School" laws passed this spring in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky authorize school personnel who volunteer to be trained to administer insulin and glucagon to students with diabetes when a school nurse is not present. Some students with diabetes have had to transfer to schools away from family and friends because no one was trained to provide diabetes care at their schools. But even schools with full-time nurses need other staff trained for field trips, extracurricular activities, and other times when the nurse isn't available. These laws allow schools in these states to train other school staff members to provide needed diabetes care so transferring the student isn't necessary. IN THIS ISSUE In addition, the bills allow children, if they are capable of doing so, to self-manage their diabetes while at school. New Report Finds More Than $1.3 Billion in Savings Through MDPA Legislation 3 Key Roles of Health Care Providers in Legal Advocacy 3 News of the 74th Scientific Sessions in June 4 Modified Deadlines for Research, Career Development, and Training Grants 6 Alabama Senate Bill 57 was signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on April 10, Tennessee Senate Bill 1445 was signed in to law by Governor Bill Haslam on April 7, and Kentucky House Bill 98 was signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear on March 5. Legislators from each state worked with the American Diabetes Association and stakeholders from educational and medical communities to ensure passage of these bills, which was part of the Association's Safe at School campaign, created to address barriers to diabetes care at The Gibson family, whose older son is diabetic, were present when Kentucky school. Through this Governor Steve Beshear signed House Bill 98 into law in March. campaign, the Association is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunities as their peers. In Alabama, the bill was sponsored by State Senator Jabo Waggoner; a similar bill was introduced in the House by State Representative Ron Johnson. Devoted Association volunteers, including Alabama Advocacy co-chairs Velda Pugh, MD, and Brianna Kinsey, and National Legal Advocacy Subcommittee Member Kira Fonteneau, were instrumental in advocating for Safe at School legislation in Alabama. In Tennessee, the bill was sponsored by State Senator Steven Dickerson. Dickerson continued on page 2 PROFESSIONAL.DIABETES.ORG http://PROFESSIONAL.DIABETES.ORG

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Diabetes Pro Quarterly - Spring 2014

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Diabetes Pro Quarterly - Spring 2014