President Bush Signs Important Diabetes Bill
Tremendous Victory for People With Diabetes; The American Diabetes Association Applauds the President and Congress
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the White House, President George Bush signed into law H.R. 5738, providing $1.5 billion for diabetes research and programs over the next 5 years. Set to expire after fiscal year 2003, the President's signature extends the Special Diabetes Program through fiscal year 2008. The American Diabetes Association applauds the President's action.
"The President and his Administration, ably led by Health & Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, demonstrate once again their commitment to the serious issue of diabetes," said Francine Kaufman, M.D., President of the American Diabetes Association. "On behalf of all Americans with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association commends them and thanks them for their leadership on this important issue," said Dr. Kaufman.
The Association appreciates the tireless efforts of members of Congress to pass H.R. 5738, providing additional funding for the Special Diabetes Program. The following members played an integral part in the drafting and passing of the legislation: Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Senator John Breaux (D-LA), Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL- 14), Representative John Shimkus (R-IL-20), Representative J.D. Hayworth (R- AZ-6), and, Representatives George Nethercutt (R-WA-5) and Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO-1) the Co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus.
The American Diabetes Association and thousands of diabetes advocates are pleased that their hard work over the past year has helped to bring about an extension and expansion of the Special Diabetes Program. The Association is also proud to have worked with many critical partners including the National Congress of American Indians, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and many American Indian tribes, leaders, and communities.
The Special Diabetes Program is comprised of two components: Type 1 research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and diabetes prevention and treatment programs for American Indians through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Furthermore, and in recognition of the growing impact of diabetes, funding for each component of the program was expanded from $100 million annually to $150 million annually.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. For more information in English and Spanish, please call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org/ .
Source: American Diabetes Association
CONTACT: Bronwyn Reynolds of American Diabetes Association,
+1-703-549-1500
Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/
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