[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 97 Introduced in House (IH)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 97

    Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to pulmonary 
                             hypertension.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 18, 2003

Mr. Brady of Texas submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
          was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to pulmonary 
                             hypertension.

Whereas pulmonary hypertension (``PH'') is a rare lung disorder that 
        historically has been chronic and incurable, with a poor survival rate;
Whereas, in the United States, it has been estimated that 300 new cases of PH 
        are diagnosed each year;
Whereas the greatest number of cases are reported in women between the ages of 
        21 and 40, although PH can affect men, women, and children at any age;
Whereas PH also affects people of all racial and ethnic origins equally;
Whereas about 6 to 10 percent of PH cases are familial;
Whereas, during the period January 1996 through December 1997, almost 6,000,000 
        Americans took anorexic drugs, which can cause PH;
Whereas PH remains a diagnosis of exclusion and is rarely detected in routine 
        medical examinations;
Whereas, even in later stages, the signs of PH can be confused with other 
        conditions affecting the heart and lungs;
Whereas one form of PH, known as secondary pulmonary hypertension (``SPH''), is 
        caused by other diseases, and two common causes of SPH are emphysema and 
        bronchitis;
Whereas other causes are inflammatory or collagen vascular disease such as 
        schleroderma, CREST syndrome, or systemic lupus erythematosus;
Whereas early diagnosis can lead to early treatment and the possibility of 
        improved quality of life and prolonged life;
Whereas education can help with early diagnosis; and
Whereas the Congress as an institution, and Members of Congress as individuals, 
        are in unique positions to help raise public awareness about the need 
        for increased funding for research on and the detection and treatment of 
        pulmonary hypertension: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the role played by national and community organizations 
        and health care providers in promoting awareness of the 
        importance of early diagnosis, testing, and ongoing screening 
        for pulmonary hypertension should be recognized and applauded;
            (2) the Federal Government has a responsibility--
                    (A) to endeavor to raise awareness about the 
                importance of the early detection of and proper 
                treatment for pulmonary hypertension;
                    (B) to increase funding for research so that causes 
                of and improved treatment for pulmonary hypertension 
                may be discovered; and
                    (C) to continue to consider ways to improve access 
                to quality health care services for the early detection 
                and treatment of pulmonary hypertension;
            (3) the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood 
        Institute should continue to take a leadership role in the 
        fight against pulmonary hypertension through the expansion of 
        basic, clinical, and genetic research;
            (4) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention should give priority consideration to the 
        establishment of a pulmonary hypertension awareness program 
        aimed at the general public and health care providers;
            (5) a month should be established as National Pulmonary 
        Hypertension Awareness Month; and
            (6) the President should issue a proclamation--
                    (A) recognizing a ``National Pulmonary Hypertension 
                Awareness Month'';
                    (B) encouraging all health organizations in the 
                United States to host activities to promote pulmonary 
                hypertension awareness; and
                    (C) calling upon the people of the United States to 
                observe the month with appropriate programs and 
                activities.
                                 <all>