April 16, 2007

U.S. Senators Kit Bond (R-MO) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) today introduced the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007 to combat undiagnosed and untreated vision problems in school-aged children. 

 

“Good vision is critical to learning.  This important legislation will improve vision care for children to better equip them to succeed in school and in life, said Senator Bond.  “With the support of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the Vision Council of America, together we will make a difference in the lives of children across the country.”   

Delegation seeks answers on distribution of Ryan White funding

April 13, 2007

Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today sent a letter to Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell expressing concern about the drastic cuts to Connecticut’s HIV/AIDS funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006.  This year, funding for Hartford and New Haven was drastically cut under the Ryan White Title I funding formula, potentially leaving thousands of people in Connecticut living with HIV/AIDS without the services they need. The letter also asks how the State of Connecticut plans to help mitigate the impact this loss of funding will have on the state’s residents.  

April 1, 2007

“Children are our most vulnerable citizens, and we use this month to recognize that far too many of our nation’s children do not receive the care and love they need and deserve. In addition to helping children who have been harmed, it is equally important to do everything in our power to prevent child abuse and neglect.  By making the safety and wellbeing of our nation’s children our highest priority, we can begin identifying risk factors and preventing this devastating problem before it starts rather than merely intervening after damage is done.”

March 27, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), today chaired a hearing entitled “Ensuring Safe Medicines and Medical Devices for Children.”  Today’s hearing was convened to examine two programs that are due for reauthorization this year – the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA).  As the author of the BPCA, Senator Dodd recently circulated a proposal to reauthorize BPCA which will build on its successes as well as make improvements to the program such as increasing transparency and accountability to even better inform the public about new pediatric information.  Senator Dodd will join Senator Clinton on the introduction of legislation to reauthorize PREA.

March 26, 2007

Citing the rapidly rising incidence of autism spectrum disorders in young children, now estimated to be 1 in 150 children in 2007, Senator Chris Dodd, author of the Combating Autism Act (CAA), has requested that the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education fully fund the measure for FY2008. The CAA passed both chambers unanimously in late 2006, and was signed into law shortly thereafter.

March 9, 2007

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced legislation yesterday to ensure that the safety of children is not compromised by medical devices developed with adult patients in mind.  Representatives Ed Markey (D-MA-7) and Mike Rogers (R-MI-8) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.  The Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007 improves incentives for the development of devices for children – while still preserving the ability to ensure the safety of new products once on the market.  According to pediatricians, the development of new medical devices suitable for children’s smaller and growing bodies can lag 5 or 10 years behind those for adults, leaving doctors no choice but to use equipment essential to medical diagnosis and treatment which are not designed or sized for children.

February 15, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today introduced legislation to educate parents and health care providers about newborn screening, improve follow-up care for infants with an illness detected through newborn screening, and help states expand and improve their newborn screening programs.

February 15, 2007

Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) recently introduced legislation to provide access to vital health care services for uninsured children through school-based health centers (SBHCs). S. 600, the School Based Health Clinic Act of 2007 will create a federal authorization to support the work of SBHCs across the nation. 

February 9, 2007

“The CDC’s recent study, which found that rates of autism among children in the U.S. are significantly higher than previously thought, is not only alarming, but also underscores the immediate need for more research into this condition.  While this study is not exhaustive and does not represent the entire population, it does serve as a sharp warning that we must do more in this field in terms of research, funding, and awareness.  I intend to do my part in Congress by fighting for more funding for this important issue and the millions of lives it affects.”

December 11, 2006

Washington- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the second ranking Democrat on the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today announced that three measures which he co-authored will now make their way to President Bush’s desk for his signature and enactment. The Combating Autism Act, PREEMIE Act and STOP Underage Drinking Act were all passed by both houses of Congress in the final hours of the 109^th session which wrapped up early Saturday morning.