A bill co-sponsored by several Danbury area lawmakers on Wednesday was sent to the Governor's desk for his signature.  Danbury Representative David Arconti says the bill to reduce the incidence of chronic disease also calls for improving chronic care coordination.

Representative Bob Godfrey submitted testimony on the bill saying that 26 million Americans, including himself, have Diabetes and he wants a Connecticut Diabetes Action Plan to be enacted as part of this study.  The American Diabetes Association about the 17-percent increase in the cost of diabetes over five years.  One in three Americans is pre-Diabetic.

Ridgefield-based Boehringer Ingelheim submitted testimony saying that in Connecticut nearly 2 million cases of 7 chronic illnesses were reported.  They are cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, mental disorders and pulmonary conditions.  The treatment cost was 3-point-3 million dollars.  BI doesn't want the bill limited to hospitals and health care facilities, but also to other stakeholders that provide primary care in the state.  The company also wants the bill to focus on Comprehensive Medication Management.

The bill was co-sponsored by Danbury Representatives Arconti, Godfrey, Jan Giegler, Dan Carter of Bethel and Cecilia Buck Taylor of New Milford.