Cohen's "Building a Healthier Memphis" Series Continues with Diabetes Reduction Event

Thanks to President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, Memphians can no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions like diabetes

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today hosted the second event in his “Building a Healthier Memphis” series on wellness in the Ninth District. This panel discussion and educational session focused on how the Memphis community can work together to stem the rising tide of diabetes diagnoses in the city. The panel at this morning’s event also highlighted that individuals can no longer be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions like diabetes and helped identify several other benefits of President Obama’s landmark Affordable Care Act, like how preventive care no longer requires deductible or co-pay.

“We can and must do more to stem the rising tide of diabetes diagnoses in Memphis,” said Congressman Cohen. “I’m encouraged that so many Memphians attended today’s panel and education session to learn how they can prevent diabetes, improve their own health, and help promote healthy habits among their families and communities. Everyone in the Ninth District should know that the President’s Affordable Care Act ensures that they can no longer be denied coverage simply because of a pre-existing condition like diabetes. With more than 7 million Americans now enrolled in the law’s health insurance marketplaces, the law’s benefits and protections are helping save lives in our city and around the country.”

Participants in this morning’s panel included:

• Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)
• Dr. Ann Albright, PhD, RD – Director, Division of Diabetes Translation – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr. Sam Dagogo-Jack, MD, FRCP – Principal Investigator, NIH Diabetes Prevention Program A.C. Mullins Professor and Director, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism – University of Tennessee Health Science Center
• Dr. Alicia Diaz-Thomas, MD, MPH – Assistant Professor, Pediatrics – University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Methodist-LeBonheur Healthcare
• Willeen W. Hastings, RN, MSN, MSHA – Chief Executive Officer – Memphis Health Center, Inc.
• Kristy Merritt, RN BSN CDE – Diabetes Self Management Education Coordinator, LifeStyle Coach for the National Diabetes Prevention Program – Methodist-LeBonheur Healthcare