While we are firm believers that you can advocate for diabetes anywhere (and anytime!), sometimes it's good to get up close and personal on Capitol Hill with those who make policies, especially when it's about diabetes.We are honored today to represent the patient voice at a Congressional Briefing for the Diabetes and Black Caucuses about a safety and access issue: the Medicare Competitive Bidding program for diabetes testing supplies. Chaired by former Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT 1983-2007), DPAC's Christel Marchand Aprigliano joined Dr. Gary Puckering, Ph.D, CEO of the National Quality Minority Forum; Hope Warshaw, RD, CDE, BC-ADM and current President of the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE); and Dr. Kathleen L. Wyne, MD, PhD, FACE, a prominent practicing endocrinologist at Ohio State. The purpose of this briefing is to educate Congress members on the scientific evidence showing, without any doubt, that Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program is not saving money (the original intent) at all.DPAC and many other diabetes advocacy organizations are asking Congress to suspend the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program until there can be a Congressional hearing where all the facts are laid bare for the public to see. Our diabetes community must have access to the testing supplies we need to stay safe; the Competitive Bidding Program is not keeping our Medicare eligible community safe.We will be sharing the outcomes of this meeting and next steps soon!