Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) and Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX-26) re-introduced the Gestational Diabetes Act of 2011 (GEDI), (H.R. 2194) legislation designed to lower the incidence of gestational diabetes and prevent affected women and their children from later developing Type 2 diabetes. The bill passed the House last year but stalled in the Senate. 

“Over the last 15 years, the number of Americans with diabetes has doubled to more than 20 million, with approximately 135,000 American women diagnosed with gestational diabetes annually.  It can occur in women who have never had diabetes, but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.  While the condition usually goes away after pregnancy, it could have significant future impacts on both mother and child, including an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.  We need to be more proactive in detecting, treating and slowing the incidents of gestational diabetes,” said Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, and primary author of the legislation. “The statistics surrounding diabetes are staggering, but we must always remember there is a human face behind every number, with far too many of them being children.”

“During my 25-year medical practice as an obstetrician I saw far too many expectant mothers and newborn babies affected by gestational diabetes. This is a preventable disease, and patients will benefit from additional knowledge.  It is important that the House of Representatives provide this level of attention,” said Dr. Burgess who is the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus.  “The statistics speak for themselves – mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, and their children are at an increased risk not only for diabetes but other pre-natal complications as well.  This bill will improve detection and lead to more effective preventative measures that will reduce clinical costs for the patients as well as the states.” 

The recommended screening period for gestational diabetes is during weeks 24-28 of a pregnancy. This is when most gestational diabetes cases are diagnosed, and the majority of cases go away postnatal.  However, if untreated, it could have significant impacts on the mother and her child giving them higher risks of developing Type 2 diabetes among other potential complications.

“The American Diabetes Association commends Representatives Engel and Burgess for their leadership in introducing the Gestational Diabetes Act of 2011, which supports better health for mothers and their babies through expanded research and surveillance.  This legislation is essential to reducing complications and preventing women from developing diabetes,” said John W. Griffin, Jr., Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association.

The legislation would:

·         Develop a multi-site gestational diabetes research project within the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) diabetes program to enhance surveillance and public health research on gestational diabetes.

·         Provide demonstration grants to focus on reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes.

·         Expand basic, clinical and public health research investigating gestational diabetes and current treatments and therapies available. 

The Congressmen both believe that the ongoing fight against diabetes is a bipartisan battle and one that needs constant attention. By continuing to develop ways to identify, treat and prevent, the eventual goal of finding a cure becomes obtainable.   The fight against gestational diabetes cannot be eased because the disease never rests.

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