House Bills - 109th Congress

H.R. 4249—The Living Well with Fatal Chronic Illness Act of 2005

On November 8, 2005, Representative James Oberstar (D-MN) introduced H.R. 4249, the Living Well with Fatal Chronic Illness Act of 2005. The bill would require the Secretary of HHS to carry out research, demonstration, and education programs regarding fatal chronic illness. Relevant to NIH is a section requiring the NIH Director to increase NIH research activities on fatal chronic illness. This section includes a provision requiring the Director to establish Centers of Excellence to carry out research, demonstration, and education programs on fatal chronic illness, including palliative care. In addition, the NIH Director would be required to designate specific Centers of Excellence supported by NIA, NHLBI, and NCI to carry out fatal chronic illness research activities. H.R. 4249 has one cosponsor and was jointly referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Veterans’ Affairs.