[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7178-H7180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GESTATIONAL DIABETES ACT OF 2010
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5354) to establish an Advisory Committee on Gestational
Diabetes, to provide grants to better understand and reduce gestational
diabetes, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5354
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Gestational Diabetes Act of
2010'' or the ``GEDI Act''.
SEC. 2. GESTATIONAL DIABETES.
Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 317H
the following:
``SEC. 317H-1. GESTATIONAL DIABETES.
``(a) Understanding and Monitoring Gestational Diabetes.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
in consultation with the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency
Coordinating Committee established under section 429 and
representatives of appropriate national health organizations,
shall develop a multisite gestational diabetes research
project within the diabetes program of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention to expand and enhance
surveillance data and public health research on gestational
diabetes.
``(2) Areas to be addressed.--The research project
developed under paragraph (1) shall address--
``(A) procedures to establish accurate and efficient
systems for the collection of gestational diabetes data
within each State and commonwealth, territory, or possession
of the United States;
``(B) the progress of collaborative activities with the
National Vital Statistics System, the National Center for
Health Statistics, and State health departments with respect
to the standard birth certificate, in order to improve
surveillance of gestational diabetes;
``(C) postpartum methods of tracking women with gestational
diabetes after delivery as well as targeted interventions
proven to lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes in that
population;
``(D) variations in the distribution of diagnosed and
undiagnosed gestational diabetes, and of impaired fasting
glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose, within and
among groups of women; and
``(E) factors and culturally sensitive interventions that
influence risks and reduce the incidence of gestational
diabetes and related complications during childbirth,
including cultural, behavioral, racial, ethnic, geographic,
demographic, socioeconomic, and genetic factors.
``(3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall generate a report on the findings and
recommendations of the research project including prevalence
of gestational diabetes in the multisite area and disseminate
the report to the appropriate Federal and non-Federal
agencies.
``(b) Expansion of Gestational Diabetes Research.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall expand and intensify
public health research regarding gestational diabetes. Such
research may include--
``(A) developing and testing novel approaches for improving
postpartum diabetes testing or screening and for preventing
type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational
diabetes; and
[[Page H7179]]
``(B) conducting public health research to further
understanding of the epidemiologic, socioenvironmental,
behavioral, translation, and biomedical factors and health
systems that influence the risk of gestational diabetes and
the development of type 2 diabetes in women with a history of
gestational diabetes.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000
for each fiscal year 2012 through 2016.
``(c) Demonstration Grants to Lower the Rate of Gestational
Diabetes.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
entities for demonstration projects that implement evidence-
based interventions to reduce the incidence of gestational
diabetes, the recurrence of gestational diabetes in
subsequent pregnancies, and the development of type 2
diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes.
``(2) Priority.--In making grants under this subsection,
the Secretary shall give priority to projects focusing on--
``(A) helping women who have 1 or more risk factors for
developing gestational diabetes;
``(B) working with women with a history of gestational
diabetes during a previous pregnancy;
``(C) providing postpartum care for women with gestational
diabetes;
``(D) tracking cases where women with a history of
gestational diabetes developed type 2 diabetes;
``(E) educating mothers with a history of gestational
diabetes about the increased risk of their child developing
diabetes;
``(F) working to prevent gestational diabetes and prevent
or delay the development of type 2 diabetes in women with a
history of gestational diabetes; and
``(G) achieving outcomes designed to assess the efficacy
and cost-effectiveness of interventions that can inform
decisions on long-term sustainability, including third-party
reimbursement.
``(3) Application.--An eligible entity desiring to receive
a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary--
``(A) an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require; and
``(B) a plan to--
``(i) lower the rate of gestational diabetes during
pregnancy; or
``(ii) develop methods of tracking women with a history of
gestational diabetes and develop effective interventions to
lower the incidence of the recurrence of gestational diabetes
in subsequent pregnancies and the development of type 2
diabetes.
``(4) Uses of funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this subsection shall use the grant funds to carry out
demonstration projects described in paragraph (1),
including--
``(A) expanding community-based health promotion education,
activities, and incentives focused on the prevention of
gestational diabetes and development of type 2 diabetes in
women with a history of gestational diabetes;
``(B) aiding State- and tribal-based diabetes prevention
and control programs to collect, analyze, disseminate, and
report surveillance data on women with, and at risk for,
gestational diabetes, the recurrence of gestational diabetes
in subsequent pregnancies, and, for women with a history of
gestational diabetes, the development of type 2 diabetes; and
``(C) training and encouraging health care providers--
``(i) to promote risk assessment, high-quality care, and
self-management for gestational diabetes and the recurrence
of gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies; and
``(ii) to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in
women with a history of gestational diabetes, and its
complications in the practice settings of the health care
providers.
``(5) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and
submit to the Congress a report concerning the results of the
demonstration projects conducted through the grants awarded
under this subsection.
``(6) Definition of eligible entity.--In this subsection,
the term `eligible entity' means a nonprofit organization
(such as a nonprofit academic center or community health
center) or a State, tribal, or local health agency.
``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000
for each fiscal year 2012 through 2016.
``(d) Postpartum Follow-up Regarding Gestational
Diabetes.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall work with
the State- and tribal-based diabetes prevention and control
programs assisted by the Centers to encourage postpartum
follow-up after gestational diabetes, as medically
appropriate, for the purpose of reducing the incidence of
gestational diabetes, the recurrence of gestational diabetes
in subsequent pregnancies, the development of type 2 diabetes
in women with a history of gestational diabetes, and related
complications.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as many as 135,000 women in the United States each year
develop gestational diabetes, and this number is steadily growing. Many
women who have had gestational diabetes later developed type 2
diabetes. Babies born to women with gestational diabetes are also at
risk for high birth weight.
The Gestational Diabetes Act, sponsored by Representatives Engel and
Burgess, will expand research and grant resources available through the
Department of Health and Human Services to fight this dangerous
disease. It is an important piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues
to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5354. I worked on this bill
with Mr. Engel. This bill has gone through regular order and passed the
Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously, and I thank all of the staff
involved, from the personal staff levels of Mr. Engel's office and
mine, and the committee staff for their hard work on the bill before us
today.
As an obstetrician, I have witnessed the effect of gestational
diabetes on both mother and child. Gestational diabetes is a growing
problem, and we really don't know why. Unlike type 2 diabetes,
gestational diabetes has a very different issue, requiring a unique
approach.
Gestational diabetes affects between 2 and 5 percent of pregnant
women, about 135,000 cases in the United States each year, and usually
occurs late in pregnancy. If left untreated, gestational diabetes can
have a significant impact on both mother and child. Women and children
affected by gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type
2 diabetes, and it is associated with additional health problems for
both mother and child during both pregnancy and childbirth.
In addition, once a mother contracts gestational diabetes, her
chances are 2 in 3 that it may return in future pregnancies. That is
why this act, the Gestational Diabetes Act of 2009, is a vital
investment in our future. This bill will allow for the collection of
data and the study of risk factors, as well as continued postpartum
evaluations, with the goal of developing proven intervention strategies
that will lower the rates of gestational diabetes.
For example, maternal obesity is an independent and more important
risk factor for large infants and women with gestational diabetes than
it is with simple glucose intolerance.
This legislation has the support of many groups, including the
American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes
Educators, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
There is currently an insufficient system for monitoring cases of
gestational diabetes to uncover trends and target at-risk populations.
This legislation will go beyond what we do know and promote public
health research to understand the epidemiological, socioenvironmental,
behavioral, translation, and biomedical factors that influence the risk
of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Current treatments are
primarily focused on diet and exercise, but there is general
disagreement about the degree to which each should be recommended and
the overall effectiveness of this approach. There needs to be greater
understanding by both providers and patients on how to prevent and
treat this condition. New therapies and interventions to detect, treat
and slow the incidence of gestational diabetes need to be identified.
Through targeted research we will be able to identify triggers that
result in gestational diabetes in women with no previous risk factors.
Given the tremendous impact for this disease, I urge support of the
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H7180]]
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and
urge passage of the bill.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, seeing no further speakers on my time, I
will just say the increased incidence in the United States has raised
the prevalence, but the risk of gestational diabetes can also be due to
genetics, ethnicity, and maternal age. The rates of gestational
diabetes are higher among women of African American, Hispanic, Asian
and Native American descent. In addition, there is currently an
insufficient system for monitoring cases of gestational diabetes, which
this legislation will begin to correct.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5354, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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