[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H7185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DIABETES SCREENING ACT

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6012) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to review uptake and utilization of diabetes screening benefits and 
establish an outreach program with respect to such benefits, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6012

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DIABETES SCREENING EVALUATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM 
                   RECOMMENDATIONS.

       Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     399V-3 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 399V-3A. DIABETES SCREENING EVALUATION AND OUTREACH 
                   PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS.

       ``(a) Establishment.--With respect to diabetes screening 
     tests and for the purposes of reducing the number of 
     undiagnosed seniors with diabetes or prediabetes, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) review utilization of diabetes screening benefits 
     under programs of the Department of Health and Human Services 
     to identify and address any existing problems with regard to 
     such utilization and related data collection mechanisms; and
       ``(2) make recommendations (informed by the review under 
     paragraph (1)) on outreach activities being carried out by 
     the Secretary as of the date of the enactment of this section 
     to ensure awareness among seniors and health care providers 
     of--
       ``(A) such diabetes screening benefits; and
       ``(B) the advantages of knowing one's diabetic or 
     prediabetic status for the purpose of diabetes self 
     management.
       ``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall carry out this 
     section in consultation with--
       ``(1) the heads of appropriate health agencies and offices 
     in the Department of Health and Human Services; and
       ``(2) entities with an interest in diabetes, including 
     industry, voluntary health organizations (such as diabetes 
     advocacy groups and other related stakeholders), trade 
     associations, and professional societies.
       ``(c) Report.--For each of the fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 
     2013, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report 
     on the activities carried out under this section during such 
     respective year.
       ``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `senior' means an individual who is at least 65 years of 
     age.''.

  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 within 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, H.R. 6012, sponsored by Representative Zack Space of 
Ohio, is designed to reduce the number of undiagnosed seniors with 
diabetes by evaluating more seniors sooner through the HHS diabetes 
screening benefit. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense 
legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 6012, the diabetes screening bill, would require Health and 
Human Services to review the utilization of diabetes screening tests 
available to seniors under Medicare and make recommendations to 
increase utilization.
  We obviously don't know the cause of diabetes, but both genetics and 
environmental factors such as obesity and lack of activity appear to 
play roles. Diabetes affects an estimated 24 million Americans.
  Approximately 57 million Americans have a pre-diabetic condition. 
Identifying those with diabetes early can reduce the likelihood of 
people developing costly and debilitating conditions associated with 
the disease. We do need to know if people are using this provided 
service, and if not why not, and examine how do we ensure to connect 
people with the service.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also yield back the balance of my time 
and urge passage of the bill.
  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. 6012, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to direct the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services to review utilization of diabetes 
screening benefits and make recommendations on outreach programs with 
respect to such benefits, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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