Submitted by Congress-woman Maxine Waters
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Urban and Rural Diabetes Initiative Act (H.R. 6241) yesterday in honor of National Diabetes Month, which is celebrated in November. This bill will establish an initiative to provide grants to public and non-profit healthcare providers for diabetes prevention, care, and treatment programs in medically underserved urban and rural communities. The bill is cosponsored by 21 of the Congresswoman’s congressional colleagues and endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.
“Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and it is having a severe impact on many American communities,” said Congresswoman Waters.
The Urban and Rural Diabetes Initiative Act will provide grants for a variety of diabetes-related health services, including public education on diabetes prevention and control, routine care for diabetic patients, eye care, foot care, and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes. The initiative will be required to provide grants in a manner that ensures an equitable geographic distribution of funds and balances the needs of urban and rural communities.
“The American Diabetes Association is pleased to support the Urban and Rural Diabetes Initiative Act. By providing grants for diabetes prevention, routine care, and treatment in medically underserved urban and rural communities, this bill could help reduce complications, improve health access, and the health of millions of Americans affected by diabetes,” said Catherine Ferguson, Vice President of Federal Advocacy for the American Diabetes Association.
The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetes affects more than 38 million Americans, which is more than 11 percent of our nation’s population, and an additional 97 million American adults are living with prediabetes. Every year, 1.2 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes. Furthermore, diagnosed cases of diabetes and related complications were responsible for more than $306 billion in direct medical costs and an additional $106 billion in indirect costs for our nation’s economy.
“Diabetes can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, and lower-limb amputations,” said Congresswoman Waters. “This important legislation will help reduce the incidence of diabetes in medically underserved communities and improve the ability of people affected by diabetes to live healthy and productive lives.”
The Urban and Rural Diabetes Initiative Act is cosponsored by Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).
