Senators Susan Collins,(R-ME) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have introduced the “Promoting Access to
Diabetic Shoes Act,” legislation that would give people with diabetes
better access to therapeutic shoes.
The
senators say the legislation would allow nurse practitioners and
physician assistants (PAs) to certify patients’ need for the shoes.
While nurse practitioners and PAs often act as sole primary care
providers for patients with diabetes, particularly those in underserved
and rural communities, current law requires that a physician certify the
need for therapeutic shoes. The physician is then required to become
the provider managing the patient’s diabetic condition moving forward.
Brown said the legislation would eliminate bureaucracy by ensuring more
health professionals can treat patients and sign off on therapies they
need.
The American
Association of Nurse Practitioners and American Academy of Physician
Assistants endorse the bill, as does the American Podiatric Medical
Association.
