House Approves Bills To Improve Health Care Access and Treatment

March 28, 2007, WASHINGTON – With U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon’s support, the U.S. House of Representatives approved three health care bills that will improve early detection of breast and cervical cancer, improve stroke treatment and prevention programs, and improve trauma care.

“We’re facing a health care crisis in this country,” said Gordon, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. “Staggering health care costs stop many people from seeking the care they need, and closing emergency departments leave many patients without access to proper health care in an emergency.”

The three bills were approved Tuesday (March 27) and now go to the Senate for consideration.

Gordon co-sponsored H.R. 1132, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act, which would provide low-income women with subsidized mammograms, Pap tests and other screens for breast and cervical cancer.

Additionally, Gordon introduced legislation in February to ensure that health care professionals reading tests for cervical cancer are skilled in using today’s medical technology.

Gordon also co-sponsored H.R. 477, the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act, which also passed the House on Tuesday. The bill would create a program to promote stroke prevention and increase the number of patients who seek immediate care after a stroke.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel or aneurysm in the brain breaks or ruptures. Stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty seeing and loss of balance.

“Even though stroke symptoms are easily recognizable, many people do not seek immediate care after suffering a stroke,” said Gordon. “Early treatment can actually save damaged cells and strengthen the chance of recovery. I hope we can save lives by educating people about the need for immediate care after a stroke.”

The American Heart Association reports that about 700,000 Americans suffer from a stroke each year. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States.

The final bill passed by the House, H.R. 727, the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act, authorizes grants to improve emergency medical services in rural areas and to improve access and care at facilities that provide trauma care.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, trauma causes 150,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Automobile accidents, violence and falls are the most common causes of trauma.

“In many rural communities, patients have no access to proper trauma care,” said Gordon. “In other parts of the country, many emergency departments are closing, and the ones that remain open are often understaffed and overcrowded.”

Improving emergency care has been a priority for Gordon. Last month, he introduced legislation to improve hospital emergency department care by reducing overcrowding and addressing personnel shortages.