PRINTER'S NO. 4597
No. 734 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY KENNEY, M. BAKER, BEBKO-JONES, BENNINGHOFF,
CAPPELLI, L. I. COHEN, DERMODY, DONATUCCI, FICHTER, FLEAGLE,
FLICK, GEORGE, GODSHALL, HERSHEY, HORSEY, LAUGHLIN, LEDERER,
MAJOR, MARKOSEK, McGILL, MELIO, READSHAW, ROBERTS, RUBLEY,
SATHER, SOLOBAY, STABACK, T. STEVENSON, TIGUE, WATSON AND
M. WRIGHT, NOVEMBER 14, 2002
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 14, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging citizens to commit to blood glucose testing for diabetes.
2 WHEREAS, In the United States, diabetes has reached epidemic
3 proportions, and more than 450,000 residents of this
4 Commonwealth have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and many
5 others remain undiagnosed or untreated; and
6 WHEREAS, Individuals who have diabetes cannot make enough or
7 properly use insulin, a hormone which is necessary for
8 converting sugar, or glucose, into energy; and
9 WHEREAS, Elevated blood sugar levels are associated with a
10 number of serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke,
11 blindness, amputation and kidney disease; and
12 WHEREAS, A test called A1c, which measures blood glucose
13 levels over a two-month to three-month period, is considered the
14 standard for assessing blood sugar control; and
15 WHEREAS, The American Diabetes Association has established a
1 goal of an A1c level below 7% to help reduce the risk of
2 complications of diabetes; and
3 WHEREAS, An individual with diabetes who has an A1c level
4 higher than 7% must utilize every possible resource in order to
5 achieve the target A1c levels; and
6 WHEREAS, An individual living with diabetes needs assistance
7 to live a healthy life and to aim for, believe in and achieve an
8 A1c of less than 7%; and
9 WHEREAS, There is a great need for the community at large to
10 commit to ensuring that diabetes is properly monitored and
11 treated in the United States; and
12 WHEREAS, Physicians must work cooperatively with their
13 patients to optimize treatment and management of diabetes by
14 removing barriers to service and improving the existing patient
15 care structure; and
16 WHEREAS, On October 22, 2002, the House of Representatives
17 passed House Resolution 717, Printer's No. 4496 (2002), in order
18 to recognize November 2002 as "National Diabetes Month";
19 therefore be it
20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all citizens
21 to pledge their commitment to advance the cause "Aim for,
22 Believe in and Achieve an A1c of less than 7%" to ensure that
23 those with diabetes live healthier lives.
J29L82VDL/20020H0734R4597 - 2 -