HR 1655: House Study Committee on Diabetes Related Amputations; create

House Resolution 1655

By: Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Mathis of the 133rd, Greene of the 154th, Taylor of the 173rd, and Au of the 50th

A RESOLUTION

Creating the House Study Committee on Diabetes Related Amputations; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, diabetes related amputations represent a significant and growing public health challenge, disproportionately impacting underserved and rural communities; and

WHEREAS, many diabetes related amputations are preventable through early intervention, improved access to care, coordinated clinical pathways, and increased public awareness; and

WHEREAS, Georgia continues to experience high rates of diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and diabetic foot complications, placing thousands of residents at risk of avoidable limb loss each year; and

WHEREAS, a data-driven assessment is necessary to identify gaps in care, regional disparities, and opportunities to improve outcomes for Georgians living with diabetes; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to undertake a study to evaluate diabetes related amputations to:

(1) Analyze state-wide and regional data on diabetes related amputations, including demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic trends;

(2) Evaluate existing prevention strategies, access to care, and care coordination practices related to diabetic foot complications and peripheral artery disease;

(3) Identify best clinical practices and models of care shown to reduce amputations;

(4) Assess barriers to early diagnosis, treatment, and limb preservation services;

(5) Engage with interdisciplinary stakeholders, including endocrinologists, podiatrists, vascular specialists, primary care providers, diabetes educators, public health experts, and individuals with lived experience;

(6) Develop recommendations to improve patient outcomes, increase public awareness, enhance provider education, and strengthen care delivery systems; and

(7) Propose policy considerations related to insurance coverage, equitable access to treatment, and incentives for quality care.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee on Diabetes Related Amputations.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of 13 members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Six members of the committee shall be members of the House of Representatives. The additional seven members of the committee shall be as follows: two individuals representing Georgia's medical or public health schools; one endocrinologist; one member of the Department of Community Health or its board; one individual from Georgia's federally qualified health centers; and two diabetes patients. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee shall hold no more than four such meetings and at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances, expenses, and funding.

(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(B) Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members, or who are state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the committee, but they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they are reimbursed for expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees.

(C) Members of the committee who are not legislators, state officials, or state employees shall receive a daily expense allowance in an amount the same as that specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as well as the mileage or transportation allowance authorized for state employees.

(D) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than four days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives; except that funds for the reimbursement of the expenses of state officials, other than legislative members, and for the reimbursement of the expenses of state employees shall come from funds appropriated to or otherwise available to their respective agencies.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the final report from the House Study Committee on Diabetes Related Amputations shall be made publicly available to promote transparency and inform future legislative and regulatory action aimed at reducing preventable amputations and improving diabetes care across Georgia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is intended to establish a data-driven foundation for improving diabetes outcomes and preventing avoidable limb loss for Georgians state wide.