Tester meets with Montanans from the Flathead to discuss diabetes

Senator offers support for Type 1 diabetics through legislation and research funding

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester this week met with Kalispell kids Taite and Trevor Hammer, their parents Shana and Michael, and Whitefish professional snowboarder Sean Busby to discuss federal resources for diabetes care, research and prevention.

In Tester’s Washington D.C. office, the Hammers and Busby discussed the importance of investing in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help find a cure for diabetes. Tester sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee which determines funding for the NIH.

They also discussed Tester’s support for the Medicare CGM Access Act that provides Type 1 diabetics with Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) through Medicare. Tester is a cosponsor of the bill which paves the way for future CGM-related technology such as artificial pancreases to be covered by Medicare when they become available.

“After hearing Taite and Trevor describe their daily struggles with diabetes, I know how important it is that diabetics have access to top notch technology to monitor their blood sugar levels,” Tester said. “But providing glucose monitors isn’t enough, we must invest in research that moves us closer to a cure for diabetes.”

Taite (eight) and Trevor (five) shared the challenges they face living with Type 1 Diabetes by showing Tester a scrapbook they made. Taite and Trevor are Montana’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children’s Congressional Delegates. Shana and Michael Hammer also shared their experiences as parents of children with the illness.

“Families living with Type 1 diabetes believe it is important that Congress understands the hardships and challenges we live with each day,” said Shana Hammer. “Senator Tester’s support is important for families like ours to get the resources we need to continue living a happy and healthy life.”

Earlier this year, Tester supported legislation to help those who have diabetes by voting for the authorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). Read more about Tester’s support of SDPI HERE.