Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, every minute, three people are diagnosed with diabetes. Every day, almost 200 people undergo an amputation because of the disease. Fifty people go blind and one hundred thirty people enter end-stage kidney disease programs. If current trends continue, one in three children will face a future with diabetes. That is one of the most frightening statistics I have read in a long time. The disease is at epidemic proportions, with nearly 24 million children and adults living with the disease and another 57 million Americans with prediabetic conditions, according to the American Diabetes Association. So what is the cost of this epidemic? Almost one in every five health care dollars is attributed to caring for someone with diabetes. Just in my district in Pennsylvania, a 2007 estimate says it cost more than $323 million. Nationwide the price tag is $218 billion and climbing, but that figure includes complications from undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetic, and gestational diabetes. November is American Diabetes Month. I have cosponsored H. Res. 1690, a resolution recognizing November as American Diabetes Month, and I encourage Members to visit diabetes.org to learn of the ABCs of diabetes and keeping it under control. ____________________”