[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 39 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CUTS BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IN THE 
  CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION'S (CDC) CHRONIC DISEASE 
                                PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the House to increase 
funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 
chronic disease programs including the CDC's diabetes control program. 
The diabetes control program has been successfully implemented in 16 
states and we must continue to build on this success by assuring its 
implementation in all 50 states. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note 
that by 2010, it is estimated that over 10 percent of the population 
will have diabetes. In addition, current data suggest that diabetes is 
the seventh leading cause of death for Americans living along the U.S.-
Mexico border and the third leading cause of death for Mexicans living 
on the other side of the border. It is estimated that nearly 30 percent 
of residents along the U.S.-Mexico border have diabetes and that one 
third don't even know they have the disease. Prevention of diabetes and 
its deadly complications are keys to fighting this horrible disease.
  Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis 
are the leading cause of death in the United States, killing seven out 
of ten Americans. The costs of chronic diseases are staggering, with 
more than 70 percent of health care expenditures in the United States 
going to combat or treat chronic diseases. By 2020, it is estimated 
that $1 trillion, or 80 percent of health expenditures, will be spent 
on chronic diseases.
  Unfortunately, President Bush's budget calls for a $175 million cut 
in the CDC's chronic disease budget. With cuts of these magnitudes, the 
CDC will not have the resources it needs to combat the pending diabetes 
epidemic. I urge my colleagues to support a $350 million increase in 
the CDC's chronic disease budget and to send a clear message that 
combating diseases such as diabetes must remain a national priority.

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