[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2872-E2873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER AS NATIONAL DIABETES MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2009

  Ms. DeGette. Madam Speaker, this week the co-chairs of the 
Congressional Diabetes Caucus joined with 129 original cosponsors to 
introduce H. Res. 914, a resolution supporting the observance of 
National Diabetes Month.
  The resolution encourages people in the United Sates to fight 
diabetes through raising public awareness about stopping diabetes and 
increasing education about the disease. It also recognizes the 
importance of early detection, awareness of the symptoms of diabetes, 
and the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Finally, it supports 
decreasing the prevalence of diabetes, developing better treatments and 
working toward an eventual cure for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  Since diabetes afflicts nearly 24 million Americans and is the 
seventh leading cause of death, we must increase awareness and 
encourage the research to find cures. National Diabetes Month is 
observed every November and is an excellent way to build awareness 
about both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Too many people are not familiar 
with the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how they 
are treated, what the risk factors are, and what sort of research is 
needed to make progress in the fight against this disease.
  That is why the mission of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus is to 
educate Members of Congress and their staff about diabetes. It is also 
our mission to support legislation and other efforts to improve 
diabetes research, education, and treatment.
  The legislative priorities of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus 
support the goals and ideals of National Diabetes Month. For example, 
H.R. 1995, The Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes Prevention, Access 
and Care Act, is designed to promote research, treatment, and education 
regarding diabetes in minority populations. This specific focus will 
help us address the unique challenges faced by minority populations and 
provide more effective treatment and education.

[[Page E2873]]

  H.R. 1625, the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under 
Medicaid Act, would classify podiatrists as physicians for purposes of 
direct reimbursement through the Medicaid program. Podiatry is critical 
to the treatment and understanding of diabetes.
  The Medicare Diabetes Self-Management Training Act, H.R. 2425, would 
make a technical clarification to recognize certified diabetes 
educators (CDE) as providers for Medicare diabetes outpatient self-
management training services (DSMT). CDEs are the only health 
professionals who are specially trained and uniquely qualified to teach 
patients with diabetes how to improve their health and avoid serious 
diabetes-related complications. The 1997 authorizing DSMT statute did 
not include CDEs as Medicare providers. This exclusion has made it 
increasingly difficult to ensure that DSMT is available to patients who 
need these services, particularly those with unique cultural needs or 
who reside in rural areas.
  Another bill that is a priority of the caucus is the Preventing 
Diabetes in Medicare Act, H.R. 2590. This bill would extend Medicare 
coverage to medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services for people with 
pre-diabetes and other risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. 
Under current law, Medicare pays for MNT provided by a Registered 
Dietitian for beneficiaries with diabetes and renal diseases. 
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover MNT for beneficiaries diagnosed 
with pre-diabetes. Nutrition therapy services have proven very 
effective in preventing diabetes by providing access to the best 
possible nutritional advice about how to handle their condition. By 
helping people with pre-diabetes manage their condition, Medicare will 
avoid having to pay for the much more expensive treatment of diabetes.
  In addition, we are working hard to pass, H.R. 3668, and reauthorize 
the Special Diabetes Programs for Type I Diabetes and Indians. This 
program provides federal funding for the Special Statutory Funding 
Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research at the National Institutes of 
Health and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians at the Indian Heath 
Service. H.R. 3668 would extend these critical programs through 2016 
and increase funding for both programs to $200 million a year.
  I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Mike Castle, for his many 
years of leadership working together with me as Co Chair of the 
Diabetes Caucus. I also want to thank the many Members who are 
supporting this effort and both sides of the House leadership for their 
bipartisan support of diabetes issues. I look forward to working with 
the Congressional Diabetes Caucus to pass the important legislation we 
are promoting and continuing to further the goals of National Diabetes 
Month.

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