House Bills - 109th Congress

H.R. 4166—The Family Asthma Act

On October 27, 2005, Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) introduced H.R. 4166, the Family Asthma Act. Research-related provisions would (1) require the Secretary of HHS, acting through the Director, NIH, to award grants for pilot projects to prevent and control asthma symptoms and reduce asthma attacks in families, including projects for research and development of novel interventions, (2) designate NIEHS as the lead institute for these activities, in coordination with NHLBI, NIAID, and NICHD, (3) establish the NHLBI National Asthma Education and Prevention Program in statute, with an authorization of $1 million for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010, and (4) amend NIEHS authorities to require establishment of a fellowship training program related to environmental factors in the development and prevention of asthma. Various authorizations of appropriations are included in the bill to carry out relevant provisions. The bill is the companion to S. 1489, which was introduced on July 28 by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). H.R. 4166 has one cosponsor and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Legislative Update (December 2005): Asthma Research, Awareness, Education, and Prevention