MILPITAS, Calif, June 7, 1999 -- Jane Fletcher, Reimbursement and Government Affairs Manager at LifeScan, was honored with The American Diabetes Association (ADA) 1999 Tri-State Woman of Valor award at a ceremony on May 25th. The award was presented to praise Fletcher for her work to help pass and enact Medicare legislation that now provides reimbursement of blood glucose monitoring supplies for all people with diabetes - supplies that help make it easier for them to test and control their blood sugar. The sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of adult blindness, diabetes can also lead to other serious complications such as kidney disease and limb amputation if left uncontrolled.

"Jane Fletcher has shown outstanding leadership," said Michael Mawby, vice president of government relations for the ADA. "As chair of the ADA's Subcommittee on Government Relations of the Industry Advisory Committee, Fletcher has shown a passion for her work that has led to significant improvements in the lives of people with diabetes."

Among the most significant of Fletcher's achievements on behalf of people with diabetes:

• Efforts Contributing to the Passage of 1997 Medicare legislation providing reimbursement of blood glucose testing supplies for all patients with diabetes. Fletcher was the one of the most active people from industry in moving this legislation forward with Congressional leaders. She worked closely with the ADA, as well as with other key organizations, such as the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Dietetic Association, to bring critical information to the attention of legislators and show them the critical need for this legislation. In doing this, Fletcher helped legislators understand that all patients with diabetes must be able to afford blood glucose meters and test strips that aid in effectively controlling blood glucose levels.

Because they are typically senior citizens, it's not unusual for Medicare recipients to have a limited income. The cost of blood glucose testing supplies, therefore, can present a significant barrier for those with diabetes. This legislation brought welcome relief for Medicare recipients who rely on testing supplies to help them control their blood glucose levels and reduce their risk for complications.

• Work with the Healthcare Financing Administration (HCFA) to make the new Medicare reimbursement guidelines for diabetes supplies as beneficial for patients as possible. Fletcher was co-founder of the Diabetes Uncoalition, a group of nine different organizations, all providing data to HCFA. This group is still in place, as it continues to advise HCFA on the next phase of the Medicare legislation -- providing reimbursement to patients for diabetes education.
  
  

• Support of mandatory state legislation requiring insurance carriers to provide coverage for blood glucose testing supplies. In 1995, when Fletcher first began working on this project at LifeScan, only three states had enacted such laws. The number has since increased to 30 states, partly due to the workshops coordinated by Fletcher. These special workshops brought key diabetes organizations together to determine how to find the best means to ensure such coverage in each state.

"Tens of thousands of Americans with diabetes who receive reimbursement for their blood glucose testing supplies owe a debt of gratitude to Jane Fletcher for her unflagging work on their behalf," said Mawby.

LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson company committed to improving the quality of life for people with diabetes, offers a complete family of blood glucose monitoring products to meet different testing needs. Frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose is an important part of successful diabetes care. Blood glucose results help people with diabetes and their healthcare professionals determine the effectiveness of prescribed medication, diet and exercise regimens.

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