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Congressional Native American Caucus
Wins Record Diabetes Funding for Tribes
Posted to TN Indian Affairs by Conniedoveheart
Message of hope------Victor Rocha news source.
Congress Oks Increase for Tribal Diabetes Prevention, Treatment
WASHINGTON - The Congressional Native American Caucus is celebrating a last-minute victory in its efforts to intensify the battle against diabetes among Native Americans.
Just minutes before the House and Senate finished its legislative business early this morning, legislation was approved mandating a record $750 million in funding over the next five years to battle the epidemic incidence of diabetes among Native Americans.
The increased funding was included in a five-year extension of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. The legislation mandates funds for diabetes prevention, treatment, care and research. It won unanimous approval in the House on Nov. 15. The Senate concurred without dissent on Nov. 20.
Leaders of the Native American Caucus in Congress, Reps. J. D. Hayworth (R-AZ), Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), and George Nethercutt (R-WA) hailed passage of the new funding levels a milestone in the attack on diabetes. Hayworth and Kildee are co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus. Nethercutt is a co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus.
Representative Hayworth: "We must develop more effective ways to treat and prevent diabetes and do it as soon as possible. That is why a record investment is being committed over the next five years. It reflects a new awareness in Congress of the serious and spreading incidence of diabetes and its devastating effects on the first Americans."
Representative Kildee: "With diabetes at epidemic proportions in Indian country, this funding will afford tribes the opportunity to better address the needs of their members. It is a great stride toward improving the health status of Native Americans."
Representative Nethercutt: "Diabetes in the Native American community has a dramatic impact on the lives and families affected. It also places a significant strain on the tribal health care system. By extending and increasing funding for the Special Native American Diabetes Program, we have taken another step toward improving prevention and treatment of this epidemic."
The funding legislation, H.R. 5738, is an amendment to the Public Health Services Act. It allocates $300 million each year over the next five years, equally divided between treatment, prevention and care of diabetes sufferers among Native Americans and research of Type 1 Juvenile diabetes. The diabetes program is under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The new funding represents a 50% increase per year for the program.
Over 15% of American Indians/Alaska natives treated by Indian Health Services have diabetes. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among American tribes is 12.2% for those over 19 years of age, compared to a 7.3% prevalence rate for all U.S. citizens.
The Pima Indian Tribe in Arizona has the highest rate of diabetes in the world. About 50% of its members between 30 and 64 have diabetes.
Further, the serious complications of diabetes - kidney failure, amputations and blindness - are increasing among Native Americans.
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Kimberly K. Teehee
Executive Director
Congressional Native American Caucus
Office of Congressman Dale E. Kildee, Co-chair
2107 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3611 phone
(202) 225-6393 fax
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