107th Congress

Men's Health

H.R. 632

Background

During the 106th Congress, many Members wrote to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), expressing their constituents' concerns about a silent health crisis believed to be affecting the health and well-being of America's men. To address this issue, the Men's Health Act of 2000 was introduced in the House by Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) and in the Senate by Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC). On February 14, 2001, Representative Cunningham reintroduced his legislation in the 107th Congress as H.R. 632. On February 21, 2001, he sent a letter, cosigned by more than 40 Members of the House, to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) asking for his support of the bill.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

H.R. 632 would have amended the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Men's Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Secretary of HHS would have appointed the Director of the Office of Men's Health, who would have coordinated and promoted the status of men's health in the United States.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 632 was introduced on February 14, 2001, and was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on March 14. The Subcommittee held a hearing on numerous bills, including H.R. 632, on June 27. No further action occurred on this bill during the 107th Congress.