Congress extended the Special Diabetes Program for Indians by one year in the bill that averted the fiscal cliff.

The program was due to expire this September. H.R.8 extends it for one more year at current funding levels -- $150 million in grants per fiscal year.

Indian Country advocates have attempted to extend the program for longer periods and to increase the yearly grant amount. But stand-alone bills have not found much success in prior sessions of Congress.

The program has been credited with helping tribes develop programs tailored to their needs. The Indian Health Service has reported measurable gains in preventing and treating diabetes as a result of the yearly grants.

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