News
Congress Votes to Renew the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)
Congratulations! As one of the final acts of the 112th Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate approved H.R. 8 – American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 – a bipartisan bill that included a one-year renewal of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at the current funding level of $150 million. The reauthorization of the SDPI is a significant accomplishment in the current challenging political and fiscal environment in Congress. The measure is expected to be signed by the President shortly.
This victory is due to your tremendous dedication in spending countless hours connecting with Congress. The renewal of the SDPI was a top legislative priority of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and for the past year, we focused much of our efforts, with your help, on demonstrating to Congress that SDPI is an urgent priority that must be renewed. With this extension, SDPI programs can continue through September 2014 to make a real difference in the lives of people in Tribal communities who fight diabetes on a daily basis.
In the coming days, NIHB will be releasing information on how you can thank your Members of Congress for their support of SDPI renewal. In the meantime, NIHB thanks each of you for your great outreach efforts to Congress. Lastly, for more information about the details of the fiscal deal package, please see the fact sheet issued by the White House.
View the Tax Agreement Fact Sheet (PDF)
Indian Health Service Director Adopts TLDC Strategic Plan
On December 12, the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, adopted the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC) Strategic Plan at the TLDC quarterly meeting at IHS Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. This represents an important milestone in reaffirming the TLDC’s value to the IHS Director as well as in setting in motion a restructuring of the Committee to address identified priorities.
IHS 2011 Report to Congress on Special Diabetes Program for Indians Shows Outstanding Outcomes!
The Department of Health and Human Services released “Making Progress Toward a Healthier Future,” the IHS 2011 Report to Congress on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). The 2011 Report shows how SDPI has transformed diabetes prevention and treatment in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities since 1998.
NIHB Cohosts a Successful SDPI Diabetes Symposium
On December 11, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), with Novo Nordisk Inc. and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, co-hosted a Symposium in Washington, D.C. titled, “The Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Impact Beyond Indian Country.” The Symposium was moderated by the Honorable Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator (ret.), Founder and Chairman of the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. NIHB Board Chairperson, Cathy Abramson, provided a welcome from NIHB and spoke about the personal connection between diabetes and its impact on Tribal communities in Michigan.
THE SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM FOR INDIANS: IMPACT BEYOND INDIAN COUNTRY
DECEMBER 11, 2012
8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan SDPI Op-Ed Featured by Indian Country Today
On November 16, Indian Country Today featured a national op-ed from former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) in support of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). During Senator Dorgan’s time in the Senate, he fought for continued support of SDPI and has remained a champion for improved health care quality for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
“While in the Senate, I worked on a program called the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. SDPI funds programs and services to prevent and treat diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said Sen. Dorgan. “It is also a program that is not only saving lives but also saving the federal government money. As a federal program that provides a strong return on the federal investment, Congress must understand the need to extend SDPI.”
Today is World Diabetes Day!
Click graphic above to view World Diabetes Day website
NIHB Announces National Call-In Day Event in Support of SDPI
Throughout the past year, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has stressed the importance of reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). Next week, we need you to take action and speak up in support of SDPI.
On Wednesday, November 14th - World Diabetes Day - please join NIHB and Tribal communities from across the country in asking your Senators and Representatives to support renewal of SDPI this year! Congress will be back in session and we need to make sure that they renew SDPI!
As Tribal leaders in the diabetes community, we are notifying you in advance to help us spread the word about this critical call-to-action. NIHB will send out an Action Alert asking you to call your Members of Congress encouraging their support of SDPI. The Action Alert will provide information how you can contact Congress in this important call-to-action.
Should you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Jeremy Marshall, NIHB Senior Legislative Associate, at (202) 507-4078 or via email at Jmarshall@nihb.org.
NIHB Celebrates National Diabetes Month and National Native American Heritage Month in November
Raising awareness of the devastating impact of diabetes on American Indian/Alaska Native communities is critical. To help you spread the word about SDPI, we will be updating the SDPI Resource Center with new tools and information throughout the month of November. Some of the resources and planned activities that we will be highlighting in November include:
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SDPI Grantee Site Visits by Congressional Members –
NIHB will partner with you on requesting a site visit from your Congressional Members. These events are an additional opportunity to showcase your successful SDPI achievements to Congress. The SDPI Grantee Toolkit, posted on the SDPI Resource Center, can be used as a resource in requesting a site visit from your Congressional Members. -
SDPI Grantee and Tribal Highlights on the SDPI Resource Center Website –
NIHB will post successful SDPI outcomes and inspiring stories from Indian Country. For example, the Chickasaw Nation, through the Chickasaw.tv network, is featuring several stories and promotional videos to raise awareness about diabetes. A programming listing and link will be available on www.nihb.org/sdpi. Please provide NIHB with your own SDPI success stories or diabetes related materials. -
Op-Eds Authored by Tribal Leaders and Congressional Leaders –
Look for national and local newspaper Op-Eds by Tribal Leaders and Congressional Leaders on their personal experiences in fighting the diabetes epidemic. -
NIHB’s Kick-Off Walk to Launch Go The Extra Mile (November 1st) –
NIHB is launching its own employee wellness program, Go The Extra Mile, with a kick off walk on November 1st. We will be walking to promote the health of our employees. -
National Call-In Day (November 14th) –
NIHB is organizing a day of action to contact your Congressional Members on the importance of supporting SDPI reauthorization this year. More information will be made available on the website.
Please visit the SDPI Resource Center at www.nihb.org/sdpi throughout the month of November for details on how you can become involved. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Jeremy Marshall, NIHB Senior Legislative Associate, at Jmarshall@nihb.org or 202-507-4078.
NIHB Hosts Special Diabetes Program for Indians Luncheon Seminar
On September 25, 2012, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) hosted a Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Luncheon Seminar at the NIHB 40th Anniversary and 29th Annual Consumer Conference and Celebration in Denver, Colorado at the Downtown Denver Sheraton Hotel. The two-hour Seminar featured a panel of Congressional leaders, Tribal leaders, top scientists, and researchers. Each panelist provided unique perspectives on how SDPI is addressing diabetes as well as securing renewal of the program this year...
NIHB Submits Statement on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians
On August 22, the National Indian Health Board submitted an official statement to the Senate Finance Committee in response to the August 8 Field Hearing at Crow Agency, MT, titled: Healing in Indian Country: Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care. The hearing was held at the All-Purpose Building in Crow Agency, MT.
The purpose of the Field Hearing was to address accessing quality health care in Indian Country. In addition to the tribal testimony provided at the Field Hearing, the statement highlights two additional recommendations: Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) reauthorization and protection of the Indian Health Service budget through any cuts enacted through the sequestration process next January.
The Field Hearing also examined the hurdles in providing and maintaining high-quality health care in Indian Country. Long-term underfunding, workforce shortfalls and technical concerns with facilities and equipment can cause conditions to deteriorate in hospitals. Tribal communities face challenges in meeting health needs as Indian Country explores what could be done to ensure better access to quality care.
The SDPI statement will be posted on the Senate Finance Committee website in the coming months as it becomes a part of the official record.
NIHB Field Hearing Statement on SDPI 8.22.12 (PDF)
NIHB Board of Directors Unanimously Approves Resolution
On June 22, 2012 the NIHB Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution affirming that the Tribes support requesting Congress to renew the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at $200 million per year for five years. In addition, the Board affirmed that the Tribes request Congress to make the SDPI program subject to contract requirements under P.L. 93-638
Congress shows strong support for renewal of SDPI!
As the first step in the campaign to extend SDPI this year, NIHB joined with our coalition partners and leaders of the House and Senate Diabetes Caucus in securing signatures on a letter to House and Senate Leadership. The effort was a huge success, with 269 Representatives and 72 Senators signing the letter!
IHS presentation on SDPI history, outcomes and future opportunities
The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP) delivered a presentation on SDPI at the NIHB’s Public Health Summit in Tulsa, OK on May 30, 2012.
To view PDF of the presentation, click here.