1. research and product news for people with diabetes
diaTribe  804 Haight Street  San Francisco  CA 94117  +1 415 241 9500  www.diaTribe.org
San Francisco, April 22, 2014
The Honorable Richard Pan
Chairman, Assembly Committee on Health
State Capitol, Room 6005
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 95249-0009
RE: AB 1893 Oppose Unless Amended
Dear Chairman Pan:
Our names are Kelly Close and Nancy Liu and we are writing on behalf of The diaTribe
Foundation to express our concern with the current draft of AB 1983. We are the Editor-
in-Chief and Managing Editor, respectively of diaTribe, a free education resource for
people with diabetes. We are also the Director and Secretary, respectively of The diaTribe
Foundation, a non-profit committed to improving the lives of people affected by diabetes
and prediabetes, and advocating for action. Kelly is the founder of Close Concerns, a
diabetes and obesity information company that aims to keep everyone smarter about
diabetes and improve patient outcomes and has had type 1 diabetes for nearly 30 years.
Both organizations are considered widely respected authorities on the diabetes and
obesity markets as well as advocates for patients with diabetes.
We’re writing to share our profound concern with the current draft of AB 1983, which
requires consumers to purchase a sharps container whenever syringes, needles, or lancets
are purchased and pose a large burden particularly for people with diabetes. We
encourage you and members of your committee to oppose the bill unless it is significantly
amended to resolve these concerns. Although there is little data on how people with
diabetes dispose of needles, there is certainly not enough evidence that people throw
needles in the trash or in the toilet to impose such legislation, and after almost 30 years of
living with diabetes and working in the industry, Kelly has never heard or met someone
with diabetes who has done this.
The cost issue associated with buying a sharps container whenever the necessary syringes,
needles, or lancets are purchased would put an unjust burden on people living with
diabetes. The costs of diabetes management are already sky-high (something the New
York Times ran a front page article on this month), and further adding to the
requirements of this expensive chronic condition by requiring the purchase of sharps
containers would be both inappropriate and unjust. If the legislature truly cares about
disposal systems for patients, we suggest requiring all insurers, Medi-Cal, and Medicare to
cover sharps containers and other disposal options for sharps to address the cost and
access issues.
The legislation also overlooks promoting more cost-effective and convenient options for
sharps disposal that are equally if not more effective. These other means are supported by
the FDA, EPA, and state and local health agencies and include options such as empty

2. diaTribe  804 Haight Street  San Francisco  CA 94117  +1 415 241 9500  www.diaTribe.org
detergent containers, old bleach containers, and tools which can clip a sharp from a needle
or syringe. Using a clipper could retail for less than a container, last for a longer period,
and can be used during travel. Clearly, patients need more support and education to help
them learn how to address sharps disposal, and not more costs and regulations associated
with their disease.
Given the unintended impact this legislation will have on people with diabetes in
California, we strongly urge the committee to consider holding the bill for further
consideration. We thank you for your time and consideration of our remarks and for
listening to the voices of people with diabetes who may have their lives significantly and
unfairly burdened by this legislation.
Sincerely,
Kelly L. Close Nancy Liu
Founder and Director, The diaTribe Foundation Secretary, The diaTribe Foundation
Editor-in-Chief, diaTribe Managing Editor, diaTribe
Founder and President, Close Concerns