110th Congress

Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2007

H.R. 3368

Background

Pulmonary hypertension is a disabling condition caused by a narrowing of the small arteries that carry blood through the lungs, resulting in damage to the heart. As the arteries tighten, the heart must work harder to pump blood through them. Pulmonary hypertension can manifest itself as rapid heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and fainting—symptoms so general that the disease is often not diagnosed until the overworked heart muscle has become too weak to pump enough blood through the lungs and the patient is unable to perform even the simplest daily activities. Pulmonary hypertension can be fatal, but new treatments are available that can slow its progression and improve quality of life.

In March 2003, the first of the primary pulmonary hypertension bills was introduced by Representative Kevin P. Brady (R-TX) to provide for the expansion, intensification, and coordination of the activities of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) with respect to research on pulmonary hypertension. This bill would have required NHLBI to expand efforts in basic and clinical research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, and treatment of the disease through the establishment of no fewer than three centers and to establish a data center and clearinghouse. In October 2004, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced an identical bill; however, there was no further action taken in that Congress. In June 2005, the same legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Brady for himself and Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and in the Senate by Senators Cornyn and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD).

In December 2005, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on this topic with Mark T. Gladwin, M.D., Chief, Vascular Medicine Branch, NHLBI, among the witnesses. Also testifying was Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick, who was diagnosed at age 18 with the condition and is the granddaughter of Representative Lantos. At this hearing, the National Institutes of Health described its recent research initiatives, which included activities virtually identical to the requirements of the pending legislation. No further action occurred on this legislation.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

On August 3, 2007, Representatives Lantos and Brady introduced H.R. 3368, the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2007, a bill quite different from previous iterations. This bill would require NHLBI to establish a Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Research Network, with no fewer than 15 centers, to conduct multiple clinical trials to evaluate new treatment approaches for pulmonary hypertension. NHLBI would also be required to conduct a grant program under which the Institute would make grants to, or enter into a contract with, a national nonprofit entity with expertise in pulmonary hypertension in order to establish and administer a national Pulmonary Hypertension Preceptorship and Training Program. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would be required to carry out a Pulmonary Hypertension Education Program and, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, develop and disseminate information on pulmonary hypertension to health care providers. There is also a requirement for the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the coverage standards for Medicare for this condition.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 3368 was introduced by Representatives Lantos and Brady on August 3, 2007, and was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and on Ways and Means. No further action has occurred on this legislation.