Greetings!

In this month's issue, we highlight the importance of raising awareness. This is key to improving the lives of those impacted by gastrointestinal (GI) illness. In this issue learn more about:

  • Raising Awareness - A key part of advocacy is the awareness raised during these efforts. Are you interested in more ways to raise awareness beyond Capitol Hill?

  • Share Your Personal Story - We are seeking input from patients, veterans, and advocates who are affected by GI illness, step therapy, and/or have experienced limited access to medical foods.

  • Medical Nutrition Legislation - Learn more about the three medical nutrition bills that are currently in the House and Senate.

  • Social Security Administration - The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides financial security benefits to qualifying Americans. Learn more about how this organization can help children with severe GI illness.

A Congressional session is ending and the 117th session of Congress is soon beginning. You can continue reaching out to your legislators and make your voice heard. Advocate training and education materials are available online to help answer any questions that you may have about advocating for yourself and others.

Be active. Be heard. Make a difference.
A major focus of advocacy involves raising awareness. This can include making legislators aware of specific conditions, research and education needs, recognizing important symptoms, and much more. During the current social limitations brought on by the public health emergency, awareness opportunities are changing. Aside from contacting your Representatives and Senators, there are many ways to raise awareness safely.

  • Ask local officials to make a proclamation, such as for Constipation Awareness Month in December.
  • Share information on social media or other online communities.
  • Many Representatives have virtual town halls for you to tune in and share your concerns.

Learn more about ideas to help raise awareness.


Join us the week of March 21, 2020!

Register now to ensure you will receive updates and information as this event draws closer. This year we are beginning the 117th Congress with a multiday advocacy program. Join us for all or part of the event to learn more about advocating and supporting yourself.

There will be a Sunday education program to kick-off the week and weekday learning sessions covering specific topics.

If you have any questions, please email advocacy@iffgd.org

Keeping informed on the federal budget process is important for all of us as constituents. IFFGD works diligently to stay versed on the appropriations process each year. We will keep you updated as the appropriations process continues for fiscal year (FY) 2021. Each FY runs from October 1st through September 30th of the following year.

December 3, 2020 - A bipartisan group of House and Senate members issued a $900 billion COVID-19 economic stimulus and spending proposal. This is an effort to break the disagreement between the more generous House-passed $2.2 trillion HEROES legislation and the $500 billion “skinny” proposal favored by Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY). Here are some details on the proposal:

  •  $180 billion for additional unemployment insurance ($300 per week)
  •  $288 billion for small business support through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
  •  $45 billion for transportation (airlines, airports, buses, transit and Amtrak)
  •  $16 billion for vaccine development and distribution, testing and contact tracing
  •  $82 billion for education
  •  $4 billion for student loans
  •  $25 billion for housing/rental assistance
  •  $26 billion for nutrition and agriculture, including support for fisheries
  •  $10 billion for the U.S. Postal Service
  •  $10 billion for childcare

November 10, 2020 - The Senate Appropriations Committee issued its 12 annual appropriations bills as a series of “Chairman’s Marks.” Highlights of the FY 2021 Senate bills include:

  • $96.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an increase of $1.5 billion above FY 2020.
  • $7.82 billion in programmatic funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a proposed increase of $130 million over FY 2020.
  • $43.46 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a proposed increase of $2 billion over FY 2020.
  • $2.17 billion for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a proposed increase of $53.9 million over FY 2020.
  • $33.2 billion for the Defense Health Program, similar to FY 2020.
  • $800 million for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program, similar to FY 2020.
  • $3.21 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a proposed increase of $40 million over FY 2020.

Find more information on these budget and appropriation updates here.

Patient stories are vital to other patients and advocates everywhere. Patient input is needed by legislators and government agencies as they consider legislative and research needs. IFFGD is specifically seeking stories of patients in the following areas:

  • Advocacy Efforts and Experience: Share why you became an advocate to encourage and inspire others while sharing your personal journey.
  • Military Service and GI Illness: If you are an active or veteran service member with chronic GI illness, your story can have a significant impact.
  • Step Therapy: Patient stories are needed to help change step therapy practices and ensure proper care for patients.
  • Medical Foods: Share how medical foods, and the need for insurance coverage, have impacted you.

If you are interested in sharing your story, please email advocacy@iffgd.org

Policies and priorities related to healthcare, research, treatment, guidelines, and much more are continually changing. We will provide monthly updates on items relevant to the GI community.

December 4, 2020 - IFFGD and over 60 more advocacy organizations signed on to a letter to congressional leadership urging them to pass the bipartisan Safe Step Act before the end of the 116th Congress.

December 3, 2020 - Advocates are working toward passing the “Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act” in the next few weeks, and getting the bill signed into law. The bipartisan/bicameral measure would waive Medicare co-insurance requirements when polyps are removed during a routine colonoscopy. Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), the bill’s sponsor, along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, are pushing to include this legislation in the year-end package.

November 17, 2020 - The House passed 10 healthcare bills addressing a variety of topics including health disparities research endowments, food and drug labeling, trauma centers, and responding to the nation’s opioid epidemic. Some of this legislation is likely to wind up on the president’s desk for signature before the end of the year.

November 12, 2020 - After a campaign generated by patient and provider groups, United HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, postponed a plan to implement a co-pay accumulator adjustment program for its medical benefits. A joint letter from patient and provider organizations expressed concern that such a program would negatively impact patients’ ability to access and afford their medications.

Find more information on these health policy updates and here.
Many people in need of medical foods and nutrition therapy rely on them for a range of reasons and conditions. These foods and services help people live day to day with their best quality of life. Some people are partially dependent, while others need medical foods for all their nutrient needs. Nutrition therapy may be needed by those able to eat all or some of their meals by mouth but require strict diets to make sure that they take in enough nutrients.

Lack of medical nutrition therapy and food coverage can lead to a significant negative impact on many. Learn more about the three medical nutrition bills that are currently in the House and Senate. A comparison chart helps to define the differences between each.

The Functional GI and Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act

24 Cosponsors

H.R. 2501 - 77 Cosponsors
S. 3657 - 2 Cosponsors

H.R. 2279 - 151 Cosponsors
S. 2546 - 19 Cosponsors

H.R. 6971 - 11 Cosponsors

IFFGD's 2021 Virtual Advocacy Event

Join us the week of March 21, 2020. Register now to receive event materials.
Washington Update

We are actively working in Washington to advocate on behalf of the gastrointestinal illness community. We will continually update you on professional events, written comment submissions, and other opportunities that provide IFFGD the ability to engage with Washington.

Congress is reaching the end of the 116th Congress and transitioning to the 117th Congress. There are many changes in members of both the House and the Senate during this time. As constituents, and especially as advocates, it is important to familiarize yourself with your new legislators.

There is much discussion within Congress to move forward with a COVID-19 response package before the end of the 116th Congress. With this being the priority, another continuing resolution may be made through the remainder of this Congress. Budget and appropriations measures for FY 2021 may be finalized by the 117th Congress.

To learn more about what is happening in Washington D.C. concerning COVID-19, please visit our legislative updates page. On this page, you will also find information on how industry members are expanding assistance to patients.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has provided financial protection for Americans for over 80 years. Benefits provided by the SSA include retirement, disability, survivors benefits, and others. Social Security is an anti-poverty program, and one of the most successful in United States history. The SSA works to help Americans have a more secure future.

These benefits can be especially important for children with severe GI illness and disabilities. Many of these illnesses can be extremely costly and limit a parent or guardian's ability to work. Learn more about children's Social Security benefits.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
414-964-1799 | iffgd@iffgd.org | www.iffgd.org
IFFGD is a nonprofit organization.
We rely on donor support to fund research and to provide reliable information and support to those affected by chronic gastrointestinal disorders