Daines announces funding for CSKT diabetes programs

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, has announced the allocation of over $1 million in grant money to Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to aid diabetes treatment and prevention efforts on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

“Diabetes sadly plagues many in Montana’s Native communities, and through this funding the CSKT can continue to improve care for tribal members living with this disease,” Daines said in a press release issued on Dec. 9.

Native Americans have the highest rate of Type 2, or adult onset, diabetes in the country, the release states. The $1,040,808-grant will come as part of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.

In September, Daines and a bipartisan group of senators, including John Tester, D-Montana, sent a letter to congressional leaders urging the renewal of the program.

The letter states that diabetes-related health care expenses cost the county $245 billion per year, and that rate is expected to triple over the next 25 years as the number of cases continues to grow.

The letter goes on to state that Native Americans are disproportionately burdened with Type 2 diabetes at nearly three times the rate of the national average.