[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 538 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 538

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that communities 
 should establish multidisciplinary team approaches to treat children 
                  who suffer from sickle cell disease.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 21, 1994

 Mr. Cramer submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that communities 
 should establish multidisciplinary team approaches to treat children 
                  who suffer from sickle cell disease.

Whereas it is estimated that more than 250,000 babies are born worldwide with 
        sickle cell anemia, a form of sickle cell disease which causes red blood 
        cells to elongate and clog arteries;
Whereas sickle cell disease is found in people of African, Mediterranean, 
        Indian, and Middle Eastern heritage;
Whereas, in the United States, sickle cell disease is most commonly observed in 
        blacks and Hispanics from the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of 
        South America;
Whereas it is estimated that 1 in 400 African American newborns is afflicted 
        with sickle cell anemia at birth;
Whereas the pain associated with a sickle-cell-induced clot can mimic symptoms 
        of several other diseases, making sickle cell disease difficult to 
        diagnose;
Whereas the recurrent and unpredictable nature of sickle cell disease can 
        adversely affect both school and work attendance and may reduce a 
        patient's sense of self-esteem;
Whereas there still exists a need to improve the quality of life for children 
        who suffer from sickle cell disease, notwithstanding that the life 
        expectancy of patients with sickle cell disease has improved 
        considerably since 1960; and
Whereas multidisciplinary team approaches have proven successful in treating 
        children with sickle cell disease: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) communities should establish multidisciplinary team 
        approaches to treat effectively children with sickle cell 
        disease; and
            (2) such approaches should incorporate the early 
        administration of prophylactic penicillin to infants with 
        sickle cell anemia, patient enrichment programs, educational 
        programs, counseling programs for children and their families, 
        and screening programs.
                                 <all>