Greetings!

In this month's issue, we highlight areas of gastrointestinal (GI) illness and advocacy relating to military service members. IFFGD acknowledges and appreciates the service and sacrifice of our Nation's veterans in recognition of November 11th as Veterans Day. IFFGD's advocacy efforts include working towards improved research and care for veterans impacted by GI conditions, especially chronic multisymptom illness, also known as Gulf War Illnesses. In order to ensure proper health and treatment of our veterans, we are working to raise awareness of the high rate of GI conditions among veterans.

If you would like to learn more about how to advocate for veterans affected by GI illness, view IFFGD's advocate training materials and education program online. These materials can help you to better advocate for yourself and others.

IFFGD would like to thank our veterans for their
sacrifices in service to our country.

In this issue:

  • FGIMD's and Military Service - Military service members are at an increased risk of developing functional GI and motility disorders. Learn more about this connection.

  • 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.

  • Advocate Spotlight - IFFGD Patient Advisory Committee member, Debbie Popp, is an advocate and patient leader for those affected by GI conditions.

  • Podcast On Veterans and GI Illness - Mark Riddle MD., Dr.P.H. discusses GI conditions and concerns commonly seen in U.S. veterans.

  • Gulf War Illness Advocacy Efforts - Medically unexplained illnesses affect Gulf War veterans. In order to properly treat and understand these conditions, more research is needed.

Be active. Be heard. Make a difference.

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

All legislation is preceded by either an H.R., standing for House of Representatives, or an S., representing the Senate

There is an increased rate of GI conditions among military service members, active and veteran. Functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders (FGIMDs) are especially common. Those with FGIMDs can have symptoms ranging from mild to severe, but show no physical evidence during testing.

Learn more about the occurrence of FGIMDs, the relation of these disorders to service members, and risk factors to be considered. Military service members may experience a short-term illness that can have lasting effects. These symptoms can begin immediately or develop up to a year later.
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.

November 4, 2020 - Federal agencies are operating under a continuing resolution through December 11, 2020. It is expected that the Senate will begin providing details on their 12 FY 2021 spending measures in the next few weeks. The time crunch between now and December 11th favors an effort to lump all or many of the bills into an omnibus measure, which is a group of several bills.

November 4, 2020 - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that Congress should approve a coronavirus relief package before the end of the year. He stated that a coronavirus relief package and government funding past the December 11, 2020 deadline will be top priorities for the Senate.

Find more information on these budget and appropriation updates here.

Patient stories are vitally important 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 and/or unexplained 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.
The Advocates in Action web page highlights the experiences and impact of advocates throughout the digestive health community.

IFFGD Patient Advisory Committee member, Debbie Popp, shares her experiences as a gastroparesis (GP) patient and advocate. She participates in calls with Congress and has had in person meetings with her local congressman, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick [R-PA-1]. She spends much of her time helping to administer GP support groups, talking with patients who are either newly diagnosed or who are struggling with treatments, and sharing successes.

Debbie continues to advocate and make a difference for those affected by chronic GI conditions. Read her advocate story here.
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.

October 29, 2020 - The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury issued final rules this week on drug pricing transparency. The rules set requirements for health insurance in individual and group markets to disclose cost-sharing information. This includes an estimate of an individual’s cost-sharing liability for covered items or services.

October 28, 2020 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a plan to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and those covered by private health insurance plans, receive a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost when it becomes available.

October 14, 2020 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a report on health equity across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health equity is achieved when no one is disadvantaged from achieving their full health potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.

October 13, 2020 - A coalition of 33 organizations representing millions of people with pre-existing conditions releasing a document containing their top health insurance coverage priorities for the first 100 days of the next administration. The report urges elected officials to ensure all people living in the U.S., including those with pre-existing conditions, have access to adequate and affordable health coverage.

Find more information on these health policy updates and here.
Dr. Riddle is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. In this podcast he discusses the prevalence of GI disorders among our Nation's veterans. It is important to raise awareness of this occurrence and prioritize funding to better research these disorders.

You can view this and other podcasts on IFFGD's YouTube channel.

IFFGD is participating in the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) Week of Legislative Action. The DDNC is an organization made up of patient and professional societies that seek to improve care for digestive diseases. IFFGD and GI community members attended a “Patient Access to Care and Treatments in the Cost-Shifting Era” webinar on November 16th. This webinar included an overview of various cost-shifting tactics, caretaker and patient stories, and potential solutions such as the Safe Step Act. View the webinar and more information about this event here.

For the remainder of the event, all interested advocates are invited to contact your two Senators and House Representative to urge that they pass the Safe Step Act (HR 2279 / S 2546) in the remaining days of the 116th Congress.
The Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conduct research to improve treatment and care of military service members. Specifically, Gulf War Medically Unexplained Illness research is needed to better understand and treat these GI conditions that affect 25-32% of Gulf War veterans.

IFFGD advocates for increased research funding for both of these organizations to improve the lives of our active duty military and veterans who suffer from chronic GI conditions. Learn more about our legislative priorities here.
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