[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
               ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS TO HELP TREAT DIABETES

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
strong support for the artificial pancreas, which will transform the 
way we treat diabetes in our country. Millions of Americans have 
diabetes. Diabetes accounts for approximately $174 billion in health 
care costs in the U.S. each year, 32 percent of our Medicare 
expenditures.
  Studies show that tight control of blood glucose levels significantly 
reduces or delays the development of diabetic complications. Most 
patients with diabetes cannot achieve tight glucose control with 
traditional diabetes tools. Erratic blood glucose levels can cause 
devastating complications, including kidney failure, blindness, nerve 
damage, amputations, heart attack, and stroke.
  The artificial pancreas can allow individuals suffering from diabetes 
to regulate their blood glucose levels using an insulin pump and a 
sensor. The system can prevent low and high glucose levels and help 
individuals with diabetes avoid the worst and most costly complications 
while allowing them to remain healthy until a cure is found.
  In April of this year, 250 Members of the House, myself included, and 
60 Senators sent a letter to the FDA urging them to approve the 
artificial pancreas. I am encouraged by FDA's response to have a 
decision by December.

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