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A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED FUNDING BEYOND 2008 FOR THE

SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE AMERICANS.

WHEREAS, the special diabetes program for Native

Americans funded through the Indian health service is designed

to promote improved health care among the Native American

community through special diabetes prevention and treatment

services projects with objectives and priorities determined at

the local level; and

WHEREAS, the special diabetes program for Native

Americans funds demonstration projects conducted at sites

across the United States targeting Native American communities

that are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and

focusing on lifestyle changes through education and community

activities; and

WHEREAS, the authorization for the funding of the Indian

health services special diabetes program for Native Americans

expires in 2008 and will leave a service gap in the Native

American community for primary, secondary and tertiary

diabetes prevention and treatment and related data collection;

and

WHEREAS, the special diabetes program for Native

Americans has created innovative and culturally appropriate

strategies that address diabetes in Native Americans and has

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significantly enhanced diabetes care and education in the

Native American communities in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the special diabetes program for Native

Americans has improved diabetes surveillance, provided

technical assistance, improved provider networks and built

significant infrastructure where there was none, and basic

programs have become centers of excellence; and

WHEREAS, the special diabetes program for Native

Americans has demonstrated innovation and leadership for

improved diabetes care for American Indian programs that

provide assistance to the Native American communities in New

Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the special diabetes program for Native

Americans funding formula for grantees is based on user

population and disease burden within New Mexico, and continued

funding will ensure the health and welfare of Native American

communities in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, diabetes has a higher prevalence among Native

Americans, who represent eight percent of New Mexico's

population;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it recognize

the rising number of diagnosed cases of diabetes among the

Native American communities in New Mexico and that continued

need for diabetes prevention and treatment remains; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it express its support for

continued funding of the special diabetes program for Native

Americans beyond 2008 and support the purposes and practices

of diabetes prevention and treatment within the Native

American communities in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it urge congress and the

president of the United States to continue funding of the

special diabetes program for Native Americans beyond 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the president of the United States, the

president of the Navajo Nation, the speaker of the Navajo

Nation council, the president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe,

the president of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, the governors of

the nineteen Indian pueblos in New Mexico, the members of the

New Mexico congressional delegation, the governor, the

secretary of health and the secretary of Indian affairs.