NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Dingell Applauds Colleagues for Passing Legislation to Expand Health Research & Improve Access to Quality Care

Washington, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved a series of important public health bills originating in the Committee on Energy and Commerce. These bills were passed under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage.

“I am proud to join with my colleagues in approving several critical health bills that will promote cutting-edge research, better protect patients, and increase public awareness about life-threatening diseases, said Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “I commend members on both sides of the aisle for their hard work and cooperation and look forward to seeing these bills enacted.”

The public health bills approved today include:

• H.R. 1157 - the “Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2007,” (Rep. Lowey) authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of research centers regarding environmental factors that may be related to the etiology of breast cancer.
  
  
• H.R. 6901 – the “Meth Free Families and Communities Act,” (Rep. Hooley) to provide for the establishment of a drug-free workplace information clearinghouse, to support residential methamphetamine treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women, to improve the prevention and treatment of methamphetamine addiction, and for other purposes.
  
  
• H.R. 6568 - the “Tom Lantos Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2008,” to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage research and carry out an educational campaign with respect to pulmonary hypertension, and for other purposes. (Rep. Kevin Brady )
  
• S. 1382 – the “ALS Registry Act,” (Sen. Reid) would establish a data collection system and national registry for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron disorders.
  
  
• S. 1810 the “Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act,” (Brownback/Kennedy) would increase the provision of scientifically sound information and support services to patients receiving a positive test diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed condition.
  
  
• S. 2932 - the “Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008,” (Sen. Murray) would amend the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide coordination and assistance for the maintenance of the nationwide toll access to poison control centers. S. 2932 is solely within the jurisdiction of Energy and Commerce and there are no health financing provisions.
  
• H.Res. 1333 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness Month (Rep. Arcuri)
  
  
• H.R. 1343 - the “Health Centers Renewal Act of 2008,” (Rep. Gene Green) authorize appropriations for for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations. It would also reauthorize appropriations for FY2007-FY2011 for National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs
  

Additionally, H.R. 1014 the “Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment for Women Act,” (Rep. Capps) to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women, was approved by a vote of 418-4.

For additional information please visit the Committee on Energy and Commerce website at http://energycommerce.house.gov

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