Texas Tackles Diabetes: Abbott's Team Sidesteps Federal Failures

Texas isn’t waiting for Washington to solve its problems. Governor Greg Abbott just tapped a powerhouse team to lead the Texas Diabetes Council, proving once again that the Lone Star State knows how to handle its own. With diabetes hitting over 11% of Texans, this isn’t some abstract policy debate; it’s a real-world crisis demanding action. Abbott’s picks - K. Renee’ Yarbrough-Yale, Dirrell Jones, Michael Kelly, and Jason Ryan - aren’t ivory-tower theorists. They’re seasoned pros with deep roots in healthcare, law, philanthropy, and energy, ready to roll up their sleeves and deliver results.

This move cuts through the noise of endless government programs that promise the moon but leave taxpayers footing the bill. Instead of drowning in red tape, Texas is leaning on practical expertise to shape policies that actually work. The Council’s mission? Advise the legislature on building a statewide system for diabetes education and care that prioritizes results over rhetoric. It’s a refreshing break from the bloated federal approach that too often smothers innovation with handouts and regulations.

Take Yarbrough-Yale, a nurse with a doctorate who runs the inpatient diabetes program at JPS Health Network. She’s not just checking boxes; she’s on the front lines, crafting care plans and training staff to keep patients healthy. Then there’s Kelly, a philanthropy leader at Paso del Norte Health Foundation, pushing private-sector solutions to fund diabetes initiatives. Jones, a trial attorney, and Ryan, an energy exec at CenterPoint, bring sharp minds from outside the healthcare bubble, proving that diverse experience beats narrow bureaucratic thinking every time.

These aren’t political cronies or careerists looking for a cushy gig. They’re doers who’ve built careers solving real problems. Contrast that with the left’s obsession with centralized control, where every issue gets a new agency and a blank check. Texas rejects that. The state’s Diabetes Council has already notched wins like capping insulin co-pays at $25 a month for state-regulated plans, a common-sense fix that doesn’t break the bank or beg for federal bailouts. It’s proof that targeted action trumps grandstanding.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Ryan’s role at CenterPoint Energy ties into a bigger trend: energy companies stepping up to power healthcare solutions. Look at Summit Ridge Energy’s work with OSF HealthCare, slashing costs by $450,000 a year through solar projects. Or Kaiser Permanente, running half its California facilities on solar. These partnerships aren’t just green hype; they free up cash for patient care while keeping government out of the equation. In Texas, where energy is king, this model could supercharge diabetes programs without leaning on handouts.

Philanthropy’s in the game too. Kelly’s foundation mirrors efforts like the Diabetes Research Institute, which scored $50 million to chase a type 1 diabetes cure. Private dollars, not taxpayer funds, are driving breakthroughs like artificial pancreas tech and beta-cell replacement. Compare that to the NIH’s Special Diabetes Program, doling out $160 million a year with plenty of strings attached. Texas knows the private sector can move faster and smarter, cutting through the sludge of federal oversight.

Some argue we need more government to fix diabetes, pointing to gaps in rural care or uninsured Texans. They’d have you believe only Uncle Sam can save the day. But that’s a tired line. Look at the Texas Diabetes Council’s track record: insulin price caps, telehealth expansion, and education upgrades, all done with state-level grit. Handing this to Washington would just mean more delays, more waste, and less accountability. The Park Nicollet Health System boosted diabetes quality targets from 10.6% to 28.5% with coordinators like Yarbrough-Yale, not a federal czar.

The naysayers miss the point. Centralized systems stifle the kind of innovation Texas thrives on. When energy firms and philanthropists team up with healthcare pros, you get results - not endless pilot programs. Advocates for bigger government want to drown us in bureaucracy while Texas is already proving that local leadership, backed by private ingenuity, gets the job done. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

Abbott’s appointments signal a Texas-sized commitment to tackling diabetes head-on. This isn’t about flashy headlines or empty promises; it’s about putting the right people in place to make a difference. The Council’s blending of hospital know-how, legal savvy, energy muscle, and philanthropic drive is a blueprint for how states can lead where Washington fumbles. With diabetes education evolving - think telehealth outreach and team-based care cutting A1C levels by 2.3% - Texas is poised to set the standard.

The stakes are high, but Texas doesn’t flinch. These appointees will push for policies that empower patients and providers, not bureaucrats. They’ll build on a legacy that’s already slashed insulin costs and boosted care access, showing the nation that freedom and ingenuity beat dependency every time. While others wait for handouts, Texas is forging a path that’s practical, effective, and unapologetically its own.