For several years, many health experts have claimed that our nation is experiencing a diabetes epidemic.  Not only are more people getting this disease, but more people are developing diabetes earlier in life.  And because of the increased years with the disease, more people are experiencing its serious side effects such as heart and kidney disease, blindness, and amputations. 

Diabetes is both costly and devastating.  It is estimated that diabetes treatment will cost $132 billion this year and will account for one in three Medicare dollars spent.  In fact, on average, health care spending for a person with diabetes is about double that of a person without diabetes. 

I have joined in a bipartisan effort to ensure that we have the ability to fight this diabetes epidemic.  We have asked that funding be made available to the Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control.  This agency is charged with transforming medical research into effective practices and programs that local communities can use to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and to assist people currently suffering from it.  However, because of inadequate funding, not enough communities are being reached.  We simply cannot afford to continue to underfund programs to prevent, detect and treat this deadly disease.  You can count on me to continue the effort to stop diabetes.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator