Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

House Bill

H.R. 1616

119th Congress

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

In Committee

Introduced:May 13, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Darin LaHood

Representative

Republican

IL-16

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill improves Medicare coverage for therapeutic shoes for diabetics. Diabetic patients are at high risk for foot complications that can lead to amputation. The bill may expand access to properly fitted diabetic shoes and inserts, reduce barriers to coverage, or improve reimbursement for podiatric care and therapeutic footwear.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

SponsorDarin LaHood (R-IL)

Introduced5/13/2025

StatusReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

This bill improves Medicare coverage for therapeutic shoes for diabetics. Diabetic patients are at high risk for foot complications that can lead to amputation. The bill may expand access to properly fitted diabetic shoes and inserts, reduce barriers to covera

Community Breakdown

Pass

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Fail

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0 predictions

This bill improves Medicare coverage for therapeutic shoes for diabetics. Diabetic patients are at high risk for foot complications that can lead to amputation. The bill may expand access to properly fitted diabetic shoes and inserts, reduce barriers to coverage, or improve reimbursement for podiatric care and therapeutic footwear.

Bill Number: 1616
Sponsor: Darin LaHood (R-IL)
Introduced: 5/13/2025
Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means
Policy Area: Health

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act
Bill Number: 1616
Sponsor: Darin LaHood (R-IL)
Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means
Introduced: 5/13/2025
Summary: This bill improves Medicare coverage for therapeutic shoes for diabetics. Diabetic patients are at high risk for foot complications that can lead to amputation. The bill may expand access to properly fitted diabetic shoes and inserts, reduce barriers to coverage, or improve reimbursement for podiatr

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill improves Medicare coverage for therapeutic shoes for diabetics. Diabetic patients are at high risk for foot complications that can lead to amputation. The bill may expand access to properly fitted diabetic shoes and inserts, reduce barriers to coverage, or improve reimbursement for podiatric care and therapeutic footwear.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education for Long COVID Act or the CARE for Long COVID Act This bill requires research, education, and other activities to support individuals who have Long COVID or related conditions that may result directly, or indirectly, from COVID-19 infection. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must support a voluntary patient registry to collect information about individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, such as their symptoms, treatments, and demographic characteristics. HHS must coordinate with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute on the registry. HHS must also conduct or support research along with other agencies on how the U.S. health care system responds to Long COVID and related conditions. This includes research on the effectiveness of treatments and strategies to mitigate disparities in health outcomes. In addition, HHS must (1) educate the public and health care providers about treatments for, conditions associated with, and other aspects of Long COVID and related conditions; and (2) disseminate information and resources on how Long COVID affects rights associated with employment, disability status, and education. Last, the Administration for Community Living must award grants to or enter contracts with states, health care providers, legal services providers, and other eligible entities for expanding access to legal assistance for individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, including assistance with obtaining Social Security and other benefits and accessing medical care and services.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Improves Medicare coverage for diabetic therapeutic shoes
Reduces barriers to accessing proper diabetic footwear
Helps prevent foot complications and amputations
Addresses diabetic foot care needs
Improves reimbursement for therapeutic shoe providers

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For diabetic patients: Better access to therapeutic shoes preventing foot complications. For Medicare: Reduced long-term costs from amputation prevention. For podiatrists and suppliers: Improved reimbursement for diabetic footwear. For public health: Reduced diabetes-related amputations.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Congressional oversight

Disability and paralysis

Disability assistance

Elementary and secondary education

Employment discrimination and employee rights

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Health care coverage and access

Health information and medical records

+8 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1616, 119th Congress (2025). "Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1616

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