Sens. Young, Warnock introduce diabetic shoe bill
By HME News Staff
Updated 10:53 AM CDT, Thu March 19, 2026
WASHINGTON – Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., have introduced the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act to increase access to diabetic shoes for more Americans by allowing a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage under Medicare. Currently, only a physician may do so. The legislation would help reduce preventative health complications, drive medical costs down for Americans, and improve the wellbeing of these patients, the senators say. “Our bill will make it easier for Americans living with diabetes to access proper medical care that is critical to avoiding more serious health complications,” said Young. “Increasing access to care like this is important.” Some Americans with diabetes on either Medicaid or Medicare face access issues when trying to obtain a diabetic shoe. Left untreated, foot complications such as ulcers, neuropathy, and vascular disease can result in lower extremity amputations for patients. These amputations can be prevented with proper foot care, the senators say.
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