(Trenton) – The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee recently released legislation that would help New Jersey establish a plan of action to educate, prevent and reduce the incidences of diabetes in New Jersey. The legislation is sponsored by Assembly Democrats Herb Conaway, Jr. and Pamela Lampitt.
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in New Jersey and seventh in the US, according to the Center for Disease Control.
“Diabetes is an important health concern that we should take very seriously in New Jersey,” said Conaway (D- Burlington). “The goal is to reach as many as we can in New Jersey and help them take control of their health. Especially, if you are a person with diabetes or at high risk for developing it or have loved ones with diabetes, this legislation will be important to you and your family.”
“With a proper diet and active care, diabetes is preventable and manageable,” said Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington). “Let’s assess the programs that are currently in place and devise a plan to reach more residents affected by Diabetes. Let’s work harder to promote awareness, prevention and good health in New Jersey.”
The bill (A-3432) requires the Departments of Health (DOH), Human Services and Children and Family to develop plan that identifies goal and sets benchmarks related to reducing the impact of diabetes in New Jersey. In addition, the plan would provide suggestions on how to improve diabetes care and controlling complications associated with diabetes.
Under the bill’s provisions, the State departments are required to submit a biannual report to the Governor and Legislature on the following: (1) the financial impact of diabetes on each department; (2) the benefits of implemented programs and activities aimed at controlling or preventing diabetes; (3) the level of coordination among the departments of activities, and messaging related to the management, treatment, or prevention of all forms of diabetes and complications; (4) the development or revision of a detailed action plan for preventing and controlling diabetes, pre-diabetes, and complications related to diabetes, with a range of actionable items for consideration by the Legislature; and (5) the development of a detailed budget blueprint identifying needs, costs and resources required to implement the detailed action plan.
The measure will now go to the Assembly Speaker will now decide when to post it for a floor vote.