IL HR1442

November is designated as National Diabetes Awareness Month; approximately 3 million Americans suffer from type 1 diabetes, a chronic genetic disease affecting every organ system.

More than 15,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes annually; 827,000 Illinoisans (8.4% of the state's population) have been diagnosed with diabetes, costing the Illinois economy $7.3 billion annually.

Diabetes costs the United States economy more than $174 billion annually, with individuals with diabetes averaging $13,000 in annual health care costs compared to $2,600 for those without diabetes.

Congress has provided $150 million annually through fiscal year 2011 for the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research, with nearly $16 million directed to Illinois institutions.

House urges Congress to renew funding for the Special Statutory Funding Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research in 2010 for multiple years to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.