Davis Bill Could Help Seniors With Diabetes Prevention

A national diabetes program advocated by Congresswoman Susan Davis, who represents La Mesa and Lemon Grove, is gaining support in Washington.

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act (H.R. 962), which would extend the benefits of the National Diabetes Prevention Program to seniors under Medicare and help control health-care costs, has amassed 28 cosponsors, including a number of Republican supporters.

"The effort to extend diabetes prevention programs to seniors is picking up steam," said Davis, a Democrat who represents the 53rd District. "I’m pleased my colleagues are raising their voices in support of my bill. 

"With targeted prevention initiatives, like the National Diabetes Prevention Program, Congress can achieve cost savings by preventing diabetes and its complications, meeting our goals of improving health and reining in spending."

Davis' office said in a clinical trial researchers found that pre-diabetic patients could reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent through participation in the program. For seniors over age 60 the trial was even more effective, reducing risk by 71 percent.

Currently, 50 percent of all seniors in the U.S. have prediabetes and are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.