Washington, D.C. – Representative Reid Ribble (WI-08) wrote and organized a bipartisan letter with 76 members of Congress to Chairman Danny Rehberg and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro of the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education requesting a $10 million investment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). NDPP would help decrease long-term health care costs by as much as $190 billion by helping to prevent millions of Americans from developing type 2 diabetes.

“[N]early 26 million Americans have diabetes [and] another 79 million have prediabetes, putting them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes and its complications, along with prediabetes and gestational diabetes, cost our nation an estimated $218 billion annually. This growing epidemic is a serious threat to both the health and fiscal stability of our nation.

“A federal investment will result in improved health for millions of Americans and also yield a significant cost savings. In a 2009 report, the Urban Institute predicted the country can save as much as $190 billion over 10 years by bringing this community-based diabetes prevention program to scale. The Urban Institute report also recognized that a large portion of the diabetes burden would fall to the elderly and the poor and an estimated 75 percent of the savings, or $149.2 billion, would benefit federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

“The NDPP meets the dual goals of improving the overall health of our nation and reducing long-term healthcare spending. Taking advantage of this extraordinary opportunity will help stop the devastating and costly toll diabetes is taking on the health and financial security of our nation.”

Read the full text of the letter here

Quotes praising Rep. Ribble for his efforts:

William R. Breider II, CEO, YMCA of the Fox Cities, Appleton Wisconsin

“I’d like to thank Rep. Reid Ribble, who serves a dual role as our representative to the U.S. House and as a member of the YMCA of the Fox Cities board, for his bi-partisan efforts in Congress to grow the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).  The NDPP supports YMCA’s efforts to help individuals in Wisconsin and nationwide avoid the devastating consequences of type 2 diabetes.  His leadership will make it possible for more Ys, including ours, to offer this program locally.”

Neil Nicoll, YMCA of the USA CEO

“Thank you to Rep. Ribble for recognizing the important role diabetes prevention can play in reducing health care costs and contributing to a balanced budget.   His efforts, along with those of Rep. Susan Davis, to advance a bipartisan initiative to support funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program will improve the health and wealth of our nation.”  

Jeff Perzan, American Diabetes Association Advocacy Chair for the state of Wisconsin. 

“The American Diabetes Association is grateful to Congressman Reid Ribble, Congresswoman Susan Davis and the 74 other Members of the House of Representatives who signed this letter in support of funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program. It is essential that Congress invest in this proven program that will prevent diabetes and lower healthcare costs by targeting the 79 million Americans with prediabetes and offering this evidence-based intervention to those at the highest risk for the disease.  The National Diabetes Prevention Program is vital to our efforts to Stop Diabetes.”

Rep. Ribble has been a strong advocate for diabetes research and prevention. He has worked with many organizations and members of Congress on important issues surrounding this disease including helping get diabetes prevention programs like NDPP off the ground.

• Joined the bipartisan Congressional Diabetes Caucus
• Co-led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking her to make funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program a priority.  The letter had over 100 cosigners.
• Wrote a letter with Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) to President Barack Obama asking him to fund the National Diabetes Prevention Program in his FY 2013 budget
• Cosigned a bipartisan letter to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration asking her to move research forward for the artificial pancreas
• Wrote a follow-up letter to the FDA Commissioner asking her to make research on the artificial pancreas a priority
• Cosigned a letter to Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi stressing the importance of the Special Diabetes Program 
• Received the 2012 YMCA Congressional Champion Award for advocating for the National Diabetes Prevention Program

###