[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14945]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCING A BILL TO IMPROVE DIABETES SCREENING FOR MEDICARE 
                             BENEFICIARIES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, 
Representatives Space, Castle and DeGette, to introduce a bill that 
will improve diabetes screening for Medicare beneficiaries. The bill we 
are introducing will direct the Secretary of HHS to review utilization 
of screening programs and establish an outreach program to improve 
screening awareness.
  According to the American Diabetes Association, a sizeable 32 percent 
of Americans over the age of 65 have diabetes and of that group, 46 
percent remain undiagnosed. In my district alone, 41,000 seniors are 
living with diabetes. CMS data reflects that only 11.5 percent of 
Medicare beneficiaries take advantage of diabetes screening benefits. 
Awareness of screening benefits, diagnosis and early treatment are key 
components to ensuring that our seniors are healthy and helping to 
reduce overall costs to health care.
  I encourage my colleagues to take a close look at this bill and 
consider becoming a co-sponsor.

                          ____________________