Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is urging colleagues to reauthorize funding to continue research aimed at curing diabetes, which she says is a major driver of medical costs.
“Treatment of diabetes accounts for 1 out of 3 Medicare dollars. In fact, medical costs for Americans with diabetes are more than double,” she says.
Collins, who chairs the Senate Aging Committee, says reauthorization of research programs due to expire in September will be crucial to finding new treatments and a cure for the disease.
Among those testifying at a hearing on Capitol Hill was 10-year-old Charlie Albair from Gray, who told lawmakers he was first diagnosed with diabetes at age 6. He says his goal is to grow up and play baseball for the Red Sox.
“I want my disease to go away for me and all the other kids who suffer from it. I want us all to be able to live without thinking about it. That’s why I am here. We need money for research,” he says.
