Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health, commencing on July 1, 2017, to annually post information on its Internet Web site summarizing the amount and source of funding directed to the department for programs and activities aimed at preventing or managing diabetes and the expenditures by the department on programs and activities aimed at preventing or managing diabetes.

This bill would require the department to establish a grant specialist who shall identify and apply for grants related to the prevention and management of diabetes.

Date of Hearing:

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SUBJECT: .

SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish within the department, a grant specialist to identify and apply for grants, including, but not limited to, federal grants, related to the prevention and management of diabetes.

EXISTING LAW: Requires DPH, commencing July 1, 2017, to annually post on its Internet Website a summary of the amount and source of any funding directed to diabetes prevention and management and to expenditures by DPH for programs and activities aimed at preventing or managing diabetes.

FISCAL EFFECT: This bill has not yet been analyzed by a fiscal committee.

COMMENTS:

1. PURPOSE OF THIS BILL. According to the author, the number of Californians diagnosed with diabetes has grown significantly over the past several decades. The overwhelming majority of those diagnoses have been for type 2 diabetes, which is preventable. Approximately 2.5 million Californians, 9% of the state’s population, currently live with diabetes. More than 45% of Californians have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Together, those with diabetes and prediabetes make up a staggering 55% of California’s population. Despite the alarming increase in the number of Californians diagnosed with diabetes, the author reports that the state spends only $ 0.03 per person on diabetes prevention, less per capita than any other state. The author believes that minority and low-income communities will undoubtedly be hardest hit by this epidemic. Investing in prevention is critical not only for improving health outcomes but also for easing financial healthcare burdens. Medical costs for individuals with diabetes are twice as high as for those without diabetes. The author contends that this bill will help bring much-needed funding for diabetes prevention programs in California and will help the state overcome this public health crisis.
   
2. BACKGROUND. Diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes, is a significant and growing health problem that affects both adults and children and can cause a number of serious complications, including blindness, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, amputation, and premature death. Nationally, the prevalence of diabetes among adults has nearly tripled over the past 30 years. In 2014, 29.1 million people in the U.S., or 9.3% of the population, had diabetes (including 8.1 million with undiagnosed diabetes). In California, the prevalence of diabetes among adults increased by 35% between 2001and 2012. In terms of cost alone, in 2012 the American Diabetes Association estimated that the annual health care and related costs of treating diabetes in California were $27.5 billion.
   
   1. California State Auditor Report. In January 2015, the California State Auditor (CSA) released a report concerning DPH’s diabetes prevention programs and found that DPH’s spending on diabetes prevention has declined over time due to reductions in federal funding. In fiscal year (FY) 2012-13, the most recent year for which nationwide data was available, California had the lowest per capita funding for diabetes prevention in the nation. One reason for this is that California does not provide any state funding for diabetes prevention, while several other states do. For instance, in FY 2012-13, New York allocated $7.2 million of state funds for diabetes prevention. Consequently, its per capita diabetes funding was $ 0.42 per person, while California spent only $ 0.03 per person. The CSA reports that DPH recently received two additional federal grants that will add millions of dollars to its diabetes prevention efforts. However, even with this new funding, DPH has not been able to expand its diabetes prevention activities to many of the counties in the state that have a high prevalence of the disease. Although DPH appears to spend its limited federal funds appropriately, the CSA found that DPH does not have a process to proactively search for diabetes‐related grant opportunities and failed to apply for two grants worth up to $500,000 each for which it was eligible. The CSA recommended that, if there is a desire for DPH to increase its efforts to address diabetes, the Legislature should consider providing funding to establish a grants specialist position to identify and apply for federal and other grants.
3. RELATED LEGISLATION. AB 1349 (Daly) requires DPH and the Department of Health Care Services to jointly develop a strategy for diabetes awareness and prevention, and to report that strategy and related findings to the Legislature and the Governor on or before July 1, 2018. AB 1349 is currently pending in the Assembly Health Committee.
4. PREVIOUS LEGISLATION. AB 2696 (Gaines), Chapter 108, Statutes of 2016, requires DPH to submit a report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2019, that includes a summary and compilation of recommendations on diabetes prevention and management from various sources, including the University of California and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AB 2696 also requires DPH to annually post on its Website a summary of any funding directed to, and expenditures by, DPH to prevent and manage diabetes.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by:

Date of Hearing: April 26, 2017

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1532

Author:(Bloom) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2017

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the department to establish a grant specialist to identify and apply for grants, including, but not limited to, federal grants, related to the prevention and management of diabetes.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Approximately $130,000 GF to CDPH annually to add a grant specialist.
2. Potential additional federal or private dollars for state diabetes programs, to the extent an additional individual focused solely on diabetes grants was able to secure additional funding.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. Despite the alarming increase in the number of Californians diagnosed with diabetes, the author reports that the state spends only $ 0.03 per person on diabetes prevention, less per capita than any other state. The author believes this bill will help the state secure funding for diabetes prevention programs.
2. Background. Diabetes is a significant public health problem with severe consequences for the health and productivity of Californians. More than 45% of Californians have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Together, those with diabetes and prediabetes make up a staggering 55% of California’s population. A January 2015 State Audit report found California's spending on diabetes prevention was minimal and suggested that if the Legislature wishes CDPH to address diabetes, state funding should be appropriated for that purpose. The audit also recommended DPH seek funding for a grants specialist position to identify and apply for federal and other grants.
3. Related Legislation. AB 1349 (Daly) requires DPH and the Department of Health Care Services to jointly develop a strategy for diabetes awareness and prevention, and to report that strategy and related findings to the Legislature and the Governor on or before July 1, 2018. AB 1349 is currently pending in the Assembly Health Committee.
4. Prior Legislation. AB 2696 (Gaines), Chapter 108, Statutes of 2016, requires DPH to submit a diabetes-related report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2019 and to annually post on its Website a summary of any funding directed to, and expenditures by, CDPH to prevent and manage diabetes.

Analysis Prepared by: Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081