[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E81]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE PROMOTING ACCESS TO DIABETIC SHOES ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2023

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act.
  With serious comorbidities and complications associated with it, 
diabetes has a significant impact on the health of our country. 
Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity 
amputation in the United States. Research shows that approximately 50 
percent of people with diabetes will develop at least some degree of 
peripheral neuropathy and that 25 percent can expect to develop a foot 
ulcer at some point. As many as 24 percent of people who develop a foot 
ulcer will go on to have an amputation.
  The good news is that preventive measures such as therapeutic or 
diabetic shoes can help avert the progression of neuropathy and the 
need for amputation. However, current Medicare statute does not allow 
nurse practitioners and physician assistants to fulfill certification 
requirements as a patient's primary care providers. This means that 
patients who typically see these providers need to be referred to a 
physician for certification and continue to see them afterwards. Not 
only does it increase costs, this policy interrupts patient care and 
delays access to time-sensitive services.
  My legislation would allow nurse practitioners and physician 
assistants to fulfill these documentation requirements, which is within 
their scope of practice. Enacting this legislation would streamline 
this administrative process and allow Medicare patients to get the care 
they need in a timely fashion.
  I urge my colleagues support this bipartisan legislation.

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