Senator outlines plan to combat diabetes

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., unveiled bipartisan legislation Thursday in which Medicare and Medicaid would cover the cost of early testing and obesity and nutrition counseling to help prevent diabetes.

Sen. Schumer said the Schumer-Domenici Diabetes Screening and Medicaid Savings Act would allow the cost of early detection and prevention to be covered before people get to the final stages of diabetes.

"If you're in the final stages of diabetes and if you need dialysis, the federal government pays for it," Sen. Schumer said Thursday morning at a press conference at North Country Children's Clinic. "Medicare and Medicaid pay for it, but they don't pay for early testing. This is typical of our health-care system."

The legislation, introduced earlier this month by Sen. Schumer and Sen. Peter V. Domenici, R-N.M., would require Medicare and Medicaid coverage of diabetic services such as diabetes education, medical nutrition and eye and foot exams.

Sen. Schumer said he's involved with diabetes management and prevention efforts because his father-in-law had diabetes, but it wasn't known until after he had gotten into a car accident. The accident occurred, Sen. Schumer said, because it turned out that his father-in-law actually was legally blind, a direct result of his diabetes. His diabetes was not detected before the accident.

"That's how I got involved in this," Sen. Schumer said. "I care a lot about this."

The Senate Finance Committee is reviewing the bill, he said.

Sen. Schumer also is working on a few programs designed to help businesses reduce their health-care costs, fight obesity and reduce junk food in schools.

His interest in fighting obesity in children and limiting junk food in schools stems from the increasing amount of Type 2 diabetes cases in children. According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person's body doesn't produce enough insulin, which is required for the body to use glucose for energy, or the cells ignore insulin.

Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, usually occurs in children and young adults when one's body does not produce insulin.

Sen. Schumer is working on a provision that will update national standards for foods and beverages sold at school stores and vending machines.

"Schools' lunch programs aren't healthy," he said. "I'd like to go further and to get rid of junk food in the vending machines."

Children today, Sen. Schumer said, are more overweight because lifestyles have changed. Instead of playing outside, many children sit at home and play video games or play on the computer, he said.

"Our diet has changed," Sen. Schumer said. "The way we eat now is less healthy."

Caitlin E. Byrnes, 15, a sophomore at Watertown High School, attended the press conference, and said she had to learn at 11 years old how to change her diet.

"I've had to eat less sugar, and watch what I eat," the Type 1 diabetic said. "I have insulin pens that I take four to five times a day."

Caitlin's mother, Lynn A. Makowecki, said Caitlin was the first person in her family to develop Type 1 diabetes. A few family members, Ms. Makowecki said, have Type 2 diabetes.

Dona-Rae Yaussi, co-coordinator of North Country Support Group for Juvenile Diabetes, said Sen. Schumer's proposals are "paramount for parents with children who have Type 1 diabetes," and those who have Type 2 diabetes.

Encouraging healthy/low-carbohydrate lunches in schools is positive for all children, not just diabetics, Mrs. Yaussi said.

More information about the proposal can be found on Sen. Schumer's Web site.