1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Subject: Support for the Islet Act (S.3105) I am writing to ask for your support of the Islet Act (S.3105), which is currently before the Senate HELP Committee. This legislation would modernize how human donor pancreatic islet cells are classified under federal law. Recent clinical research has shown that transplantation of human donor pancreatic islet cells has successfully reversed Type 1 diabetes in several individuals, allowing them to produce insulin naturally again without ongoing disease management. The therapy has demonstrated promising safety outcomes, with no significant toxicity or adverse effects reported. However, even if this therapy were approved today, it would not be eligible for insurance reimbursement because pancreatic islet cells are currently classified as drugs. This classification is outdated and scientifically inaccurate. Pancreatic islet cells are naturally occurring, fully functional human cells that regulate blood glucose through insulin and hormone secretion. They are not manufactured pharmaceuticals. The Islet Act would correctly reclassify donor pancreatic islet cells as an organ, aligning them with other donor-based therapies such as kidney, liver, or heart transplants, all of which are eligible for insurance coverage. If donor kidney cells used to treat disease qualify as an organ transplant, the same logic should apply to pancreatic islet cells that can restore insulin production and eliminate the underlying cause of Type 1 diabetes. I respectfully urge you to support advancing S.3105 out of committee and onto the Senate floor. This bill represents a critical step toward making a potentially curative therapy accessible to people living with Type 1 diabetes. Thank you for your time, leadership, and continued service.