Rep Frizzell: Licensing of diabetes educators passes through House HB 1242 creates the Diabetes Educators Board (DEB) and requires the licensure of diabetes educators. This ensures that patients receive accurate, important information pertaining to their disease. Doctors will be able to refer patients to a diabetes educator with the knowledge that the educator has been licensed through the state and will provide correct medical information to the patients. “Doctors should be able to refer diabetes patients with the understanding that those patients will be properly educated about the management of their disease,” said Rep. Frizzell. In Indiana, more than 484,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes. Another 1.4 million Hoosiers are pre-diabetic and will become diabetic without a major lifestyle change. Self-management by the patient is the most crucial part of care, and training in this area is only effective if the patient receives correct information. Creating the DEB ensures that patients have access to credible and useful tools and can take the necessary steps to improve their health. “Diabetes is an epidemic in Indiana,” Rep. Frizzell said. “Having a thorough education is necessary for diabetes patients to adequately manage their disease, and requiring licensure provides a basic standard for that education.” HB 1242 will move to the Senate for further discussion and debate. To stay up-to-date on this bill and any other piece of legislation in the General Assembly, visit www.in.gov/legislative. -30-
State Rep. Dave Frizzell serves as the Majority Whip for the House. He also serves on the Family Children and Human Affairs Committee, the Public Health Committee and the Utilities and Energy Committee. Rep. Frizzell represents a portions of Marion and Johnson counties.
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