Title
To urge the United States Congress to mitigate the debilitative effects of Type I diabetes and excessive future healthcare costs by increasing funding to the National Institute of Health for research to promote the widespread and affordable availability of a closed loop diabetic system, otherwise referred to as the "artificial pancreas" and islet cell transplant therapy
Body
WHEREAS, more than one million Americans have been diagnosed with Diabetes Miletus, otherwise known as Type I Diabetes, a disorder which is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart disease, and death, and
WHEREAS, Type 1 Diabetes is a disease which frequently strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of life threatening complications, and
WHEREAS, the cost of Type 1 Diabetes, including medical expenses and lost productivity exceeds billions of dollars per year, and
WHEREAS, medical and technological advances in the development of the closed-loop insulin delivery system and islet cell transplantation have created meaningful and realistic pathways to a cure of Type 1 Diabetes, and
WHEREAS, adequate funding for research and development of the closed loop system and islet cell transplant therapy will result in positive medical outcomes for millions of Americans who are affected by Type 1 Diabetes, and thereby ameliorate widespread human suffering and preserve untold billions of dollars in tax payer funds, and
WHEREAS, current levels of NIH funding designated for advancing the technology associated with the closed loop system and islet cell transplantation are inadequate, and an increase in such funding will expedite the refining of, and access to these important medical technologies; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we, the members of Columbus City Council support additional research, funding, and hope for people living with Type 1 Diabetes and that we urge the Congress of the United States to increase funding levels for research and development of the closed loop system and islet cell transplantation such that those suffering from Type 1 Diabetes will have expedited access to such technology, thus providing them with enhanced healthcare while saving billions of dollars in healthcare costs and lost productivity.