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.
