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Committee advances bill designating November as Diabetes Awareness Month
Summary
The House Naming & Designating Committee approved HB 0363 to designate November as Diabetes Awareness Month; sponsor and several members described diabetes as a significant health issue in Tennessee and discussed insulin costs during debate.
The House Naming & Designating Committee voted to advance House Bill 0363, which designates November as Diabetes Awareness Month in Tennessee.
Representative Dave Riggs, sponsor of HB 0363, said the issue is personally important to him and to many Tennesseans. "This is, an issue that actually is very important to me," Riggs said, adding that he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago. He told the committee Tennessee has “the sixth highest incidence of diabetes in the country” and described diabetes as “the eighth leading cause of death in Tennessee.”
Representative Dixie, speaking during committee discussion, described her own diagnosis at age 27 and urged more public education about diet, exercise and management. Representative Jones raised concerns about the cost of insulin and said constituents in his district have contacted him about rising insulin prices. Riggs acknowledged cost concerns and said multiple approaches exist to address diabetes statewide.
The clerk announced the vote as 10 ayes. The bill passed the committee and was referred to the Health Committee for further consideration.
The bill is an honorary and awareness designation; committee discussion emphasized education and access concerns rather than any immediate funding or regulatory changes.
