SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6556

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Based on recently announced diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes, it is estimated that gestational diabetes affects 18 percent of pregnancies. Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have prediabetes, in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 79 million people in the United States who have prediabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during prediabetes. Complications from diabetes include heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, and damage to the nervous system.

Summary of Bill: A Diabetes Action Team Public-Private Partnership (Partnership) is established to assess and determine the reach and impact of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes on the state. The diabetes action team consists of legislative, agency, and community membership. The Partnership must generate data and information related to the impact of diabetes on health insurance-related programs, health insurance financing efforts, employers, and public health efforts in Washington State. The Partnership must identify the financial impact and reach diabetes of all types is having on the state; assess the benefits of implemented programs and activities overseen by the state and other entities aimed at controlling and preventing diabetes; include a description of the level of coordination existing between the entities in the Partnership and the coordination existing between the state and nongovernmental entities. Information collected by the Partnership is limited to the diabetes information, data, and programs currently held by each group in the Partnership; new research and data collection is not required unless funding is provided.

The Diabetes Action Team Public-Private Partnership Account is created to support the Partnership. Revenues to the account may include gifts from the private sector, federal funds, and any appropriations made by the Legislature or other sources.

The Partnership is to report results to the Governor and the Legislature. The Partnership expires January 1, 2014.