April 14, 2017

RE: Oppose Proposed Cuts to the HRSA SPRANS programs

Dear Chairs Cochran, Blunt, Frelinghuysen and Cole and Ranking Members Leahy, Murray, Lowey, and DeLauro,

Novo Nordisk Inc. (“Novo Nordisk”) appreciates the opportunity to express opposition to the Proposed Cuts to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, Special Projects of National Significance (SPRANS) program for Fiscal Year 2017. Headquartered in Denmark, and with over 5,000 U.S. employees, Novo Nordisk is a global health care company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes, obesity, hemophilia, and growth hormone disorders.

Novo Nordisk is committed to the goal of ensuring that individuals with hemophilia have access to high quality, affordable care. It is imperative that the national network of hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers (HTCs) continue to receive funding for non-reimbursable services to ensure this vulnerable patient population is provided with the care necessary to address this severe and high-cost condition. We are concerned that by reducing the budget allotted to the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, SPRANS program, the funding for hemophilia programs would be severely reduced or entirely eliminated, and thereby would cripple the HTC’s ability to deliver patient care and services.

Since the authorization of funding for the national network of hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) by Congress in 1974, the centers have provided essential, multidisciplinary services not routinely covered by insurance. The model has since become internationally regarded as the gold standard of patient-centered care by both reducing healthcare expenditures and improving the outcomes for people with bleeding disorders. The nearly $5 million used to fund these centers nationwide is critical in enabling the delivery of services to those who rely on such care to live.

We appreciate the opportunity to share our concerns and request that you reject the proposed budget cuts for the SPRANS hemophilia program for FY2017. The proposed budget cuts to the program would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of patients with bleeding disorders. If you have any questions or need any further information relating to our comments, please do not hesitate to contact Curt Oltmans at (609) 987-4875 or CUOT@novonordisk.com

Sincerely,

Curt Oltmans, Corporate Vice President
Legal and Corporate Affairs
Novo Nordisk, Inc.

Novo Nordisk’s letter of support: Click here.