As Diabetes Deaths Soar, South Bronx Group Demands End to Federal and New York State Dispute and Immediate Release of Diabetes Prevention Funds
Newswise — With diabetes deaths soaring, literally millions of dollars in key diabetes prevention funds have been held back for almost a year because of federal government and New York State disputes over Medicaid funding.
Now, on the heels of a new report from New York City’s Health Department documenting that diabetes-related deaths have reached an all time high, Health People: Community Preventive Health Institute in the South Bronx has launched an online petition at Change.org to urge both the federal Center for Medicaid Services and the New York State Health Department to finally come to an agreement that will allow the state to go forward with cost-saving prevention programs.
“This is beyond frustrating. It is appalling that the state and federal government have not been able to finally let communities put this prevention to work even as the city, this week, announced that diabetes deaths have reached an all-time high,” said Chris Norwood, Executive Director of Health People.
The Medicaid funding in dispute--formally known as 1115 waiver-- represents New York’s claim to monies being saved under “health reform.” but needs federal approval before it can be released. Included in the $10 billion New York State request is start-up funding for innovative prevention programs for diabetes, asthma and other chronic disease that aren’t currently supported by Medicaid. These programs are a major step in focusing New York Medicaid on evidence-based chronic disease prevention that saves money while improving health---but none of the prevention can start until the full waiver has federal approval.
“We understand that the federal government has concerns about New York State Medicaid, but holding up excellent prevention programs is just wasting more money---and threatening more lives,” Ms. Norwood added.
The $25 million in diabetes prevention funding in the 1115 waiver would save the state and federal government $207 million a year---year after year----in Medicaid costs for diabetes cases.
Ten South Bronx residents have joined Health People to prepare themselves as Prevention Coaches to teach local residents with high blood sugar a federally-approved self-care course that is documented to cut their diabetes risk by 58%. But, without funding, they can’t even get the course materials to enable them to start providing the instruction..
“Diabetes is everywhere here in the South Bronx. People are in wheelchairs because of all the diabetes-related amputations,” said Wanda Balines who recently became a Prevention Coach, “We know these amputations are preventable, yet the prevention isn’t being done. How can you let people lose their feet for no reason?”
Delores Graham, Loretta Fleming and Keisha Albritton, who also recently became Prevention Coaches, want to teach diabetes prevention in their public housing complexes. “Hundreds of people could benefit---and they need the information and coaching now,” said Ms. Graham.
Five of the city’s community districts with the highest diabetes-related deaths are in the Bronx.
“The Bronx is often ignored, but this is just a terrible example---you can save money as you save lives and it isn’t being done!” said Darlene Cruz, a lifelong Bronx resident who also just completed training as a Diabetes Prevention Coach.
To support the petition and demand action from Cynthia Mann, Director of the federal Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, and Nirav R. Shah, MD, New York State Commissioner of Health, the public can easily sign on by clicking here Change.org.
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