The decision on intensity of treatment is further compromised by current recommendations to attenuate glycemic control goals, especially when usage of insulin is required, both in patients with the common comorbidities of overweight or preexisting cardiovascular disease, and in those in the later decades of life. These concerns are based on fears that intensive insulin treatment might be associated with weight gain, increased cardiovascular risk factors (hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance), and adverse effects of recurrent hypoglycemic events. The prevalent level of glycemic control in insulin-treated type 2 diabetics is relatively poor, likely due to a combination of practical difficulties and the uncertainties of what are the safe and effective glycemic goals. There is no long-term study currently being done in the high-risk population typical of the patient population in the VA. Before the Department of Veterans Affairs devotes considerable resources to a widespread intervention (a quarter of patients) that may be of little value, and might even be counterproductive, a trial to determine the value of the intervention is mandated. It is expected that CSP #465 will provide the scientific data on which the VA can base clinical treatment of Type II diabetes.