Diabetes Legislation from Antonio and Craig Passes Senate Committee
February 12, 2020
Nickie J. Antonio News
Today, state Senators Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) and Nickie J. Antonio (D- Lakewood) announced that three of the five bills that make up their Insulin Affordability Act were voted out of the Senate Health, Human Service & Medicaid Committee. The three bills that passed committee today include Senate Bill 230 and Senate Resolution 406, which establish Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Day, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 to encourage Asian Americans to be screened for type 2 diabetes. All three bills passed unanimously.
“Diabetes poses very serious health risks but it can be managed by ensuring patients have access to high-quality, affordable health care,” said Craig. “The skyrocketing cost of insulin has made it difficult for many Ohioans to afford treatment and stay healthy. Raising awareness about the prevention and treatment of diabetes can help save lives and advance the conversation about the importance of affordability.”
“I am very appreciative of those who came in to testify and share their stories of loss and near loss of loved ones due to complications of DKA,” said Antonio. “We all know someone living with diabetes, but continued awareness can and will save lives.”
Many Americans ration their insulin because they can’t afford it, unaware of how dangerous this can be. A recent survey found that more than 25% of Americans with type 1 diabetes have rationed insulin due to cost. DKA is among the severe complications of diabetes that result from a lack of insulin. Craig and Antonio’s legislation would designate April 26 as DKA Day to raise awareness about the life-threatening diagnosis.
Asian Americans are 30% more likely than their Caucasian-American counterparts to have type 2 diabetes and half of Asian Americans with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. SCR 7 aims to decrease this disparity by encouraging Asian Americans to be screened for type 2 diabetes at a lower Body Mass Index than the general population, at 23 kg/m2 as opposed to 25 kg/m2.
The lawmakers’ bills now await full approval by the Ohio Senate.
The other two bills which make up the legislators’ Insulin Affordability Act – SB 131, which would allow the Attorney General’s office to investigate the price of insulin and SB 132, which would cap the price of insulin at $100 for a 30-day dosage – have not received hearings yet.
“Diabetes poses very serious health risks but it can be managed by ensuring patients have access to high-quality, affordable health care,” said Craig. “The skyrocketing cost of insulin has made it difficult for many Ohioans to afford treatment and stay healthy. Raising awareness about the prevention and treatment of diabetes can help save lives and advance the conversation about the importance of affordability.”
“I am very appreciative of those who came in to testify and share their stories of loss and near loss of loved ones due to complications of DKA,” said Antonio. “We all know someone living with diabetes, but continued awareness can and will save lives.”
Many Americans ration their insulin because they can’t afford it, unaware of how dangerous this can be. A recent survey found that more than 25% of Americans with type 1 diabetes have rationed insulin due to cost. DKA is among the severe complications of diabetes that result from a lack of insulin. Craig and Antonio’s legislation would designate April 26 as DKA Day to raise awareness about the life-threatening diagnosis.
Asian Americans are 30% more likely than their Caucasian-American counterparts to have type 2 diabetes and half of Asian Americans with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. SCR 7 aims to decrease this disparity by encouraging Asian Americans to be screened for type 2 diabetes at a lower Body Mass Index than the general population, at 23 kg/m2 as opposed to 25 kg/m2.
The lawmakers’ bills now await full approval by the Ohio Senate.
The other two bills which make up the legislators’ Insulin Affordability Act – SB 131, which would allow the Attorney General’s office to investigate the price of insulin and SB 132, which would cap the price of insulin at $100 for a 30-day dosage – have not received hearings yet.