Dear                    

I am writing to express my support of the recently introduced Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention Act of 2003 (H.R. 3458).

This legislation supports the use of telemedicine-based screening to identify people at risk for vision loss from diabetic eye disease.  It is a proven method of screening that is already in widespread use in other countries.

Diabetic retinopathy affects retinal blood vessels and increases with the duration of diabetes.  The CDC currently states that 75 people in the U.S. go blind from diabetic retinopathy every single day.  The skyrocketing number of newly-diagnosed diabetics will lead to an unprecedented public health catastrophe in a short time unless we act now to combat this problem. 
 
Telemedicine-based screening programs identify people at risk through the use of digital retinal cameras placed in community health centers, primary care clinics and mobile vans.  The cameras produce high resolution digital images which are graded at a centralized facility.  Specialists interpret the images and recommend follow-up care to ensure that patients with sight-threatening conditions are sent to eye doctors.  There are proven methods of treating retinopathy, but we must identify patients who need treatment before their eyes suffer permanent damage.  Like many other conditions, earlier identification leads to improved outcomes.   These programs reduce healthcare disparities, increase access and provide equity across diverse populations and locations.
 
While a few telemedicine-based eye screening programs have been in limited operation in the U.S., widespread application of this technology has been constrained chiefly due to the lack of reasonable reimbursement.  Since Medicare and Medicaid have failed to provide for this proven method, diabetic retinopathy continues to be the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans.
 
Recently, Congressman Jim Cooper of the 5th District of Tennessee introduced a bill to the House of Representatives that will correct this oversight. The Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention Act of 2003 (H.R. 3458) was introduced on November 6, 2003 and will be taken up after the first of the year. 
 
I am absolutely convinced that this approach is scientifically valid, economically sustainable and represents the only practical way to reduce this looming public health problem.  The old ways of healthcare delivery cannot reach enough people, and the rapid increase of newly-diagnosed diabetics dooms future generations to great misery-unless we act TODAY!

I hope you share my concerns about this matter and will support this legislation.  Thank you very much for your assistance.
 
 Sincerely yours,