On December 17,2007, Congress approved Senate-Bill 2499 which extended the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDIP) for one more year, through September 30, 2009 at a funding rate of $150 million. A number of groups, including the TLDC, American Diabetes Association, National Indian Health Board, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and others have worked to have the funding extended until 2014. We have not succeeded yet, but the work continues. The TLDC met in February, 2007 to discuss and make recommendations to the Indian Health Service acting director for the SDPI funding for FY 2008.
     TLDC recommended that Area Tribal Consultation be held in order to inform Tribal Leaders and communities at the local level of the important new developments. The Oklahoma area met at the beginning of March to discuss the funding and come up with a strategy for our vote. Following the consultation and feedback guide developed by IHS, the Oklahoma area agreed by consensus to keep the distribution of the new SDPI funding the same through 2009.
     What we have accomplished in Indian country related to the advancement of care for those with diabetes is being looked at by the health care community at large. We are on the cutting edge. What we are doing for the prevention of diabetes is also setting a precedence for others to follow and pattern. Please do your part to make sure that this funding is continued. You are either impacted directly or indirectly, positively or negatively if this funding should cease. The TLDC will be holding a conference call April 4th to vote concerning the funding for 2009. I will keep you informed through the Chickasaw Times and this blog.