Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) this week reintroduced legislation to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) which currently serves nearly 780,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives each year and is set to expire September 30, 2023. The legislation would extend funding for the program through fiscal year 2028.
“Since 1997, SDPI has significantly improved the trajectory of diabetes in Indian Country,” said Cole. “By allowing tribes to create public health programs for diabetes prevention and treatment, they can better promote healthy living to prevent diabetes and significantly improve the health outcomes and quality of life for many Native Americans. I am proud to join my colleague in the reintroduction of this critical legislation to ensure the continuation of this highly successful and effective program.”
“As a physician, I care deeply about health equity,” said Dr. Ruiz. “Diabetes disproportionately impacts Tribal communities, and when left untreated, can lead to higher risks of strokes, blindness, renal failure, and amputations. Reauthorizing this program is important to addressing health disparities for Tribal communities. That is why I am pleased to coauthor this legislation with Congressman Cole and to approach this issue in a bipartisan manner.”
As part of the program, recipients of SDPI funds are required to implement at least one SDPI “Best Practice,” which focuses on areas for improvement of diabetes prevention and treatment outcomes in communities and clinics. The program supports 301 American Indian and Alaska Native Diabetes Programs in 35 states across all Indian Health Service (IHS) areas and has achieved a 5.5 percent decrease in the prevalence of diabetes between 2013 – 2017.
