Sometimes, things just come together.
On Friday, American Diabetes Association (ADA) CEO Larry Hausner gave the keynote address to LifeScience Alley’s Diabetes Leadership Roundtable. Hausner was in town for the ADA conference in Minneapolis.
As it happens, the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic last week launched a ten year, $250 million-to-$350 million partnership to cure diabetes.
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Not to be outdone, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also announced a plan to combat obesity by banning city residents from using food stamps to purchase sodas.
An attendee at the diabetes round table asked Hausner what he thought of Bloomberg’s plan.
“Well…that’s a real political issue,” Hausner answered carefully.
Officially, the ADA board of directors has declined to adopt a position on the plan, Hausner said, although he didn’t really say why.
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Oh, well.
But then Hausner couldn’t help himself.
“ButIthinkit’sagreatidea,” he blurted out, drawing laughter from the crowd.
New York is not the first place to pursue the idea. Guess which state tried this before? Yup! Minnesota, baby!
From the New York Times:
In 2004, the Agriculture Department denied a request by Minnesota to prevent food-stamp recipients from buying junk food. The department said that the plan, which focused on candy and soda, among other foods, was based on questionable merits and would “perpetuate the myth” that food-stamp users made poor shopping decisions.
The Times also reported House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson from (wait for it…) Minnesota supports discussing a federal ban during deliberations for the next farm bill.
Officials from the university and Mayo say Minnesota should be all things diabetes.
Boy, they weren’t kidding!