[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 179 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 179

  Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding bone marrow failure 
                               diseases.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 16, 2005

    Mr. Brown of Ohio (for himself and Mr. Bilirakis) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                          Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding bone marrow failure 
                               diseases.

Whereas every year approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with 
        aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or paroxysmal 
        nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH);
Whereas bone marrow failure diseases can strike any person anywhere in the 
        world, regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity;
Whereas the highest incidence of these diseases occurs with people age 60 or 
        older;
Whereas the number of cases of these diseases will increase each year as the 
        American population continues to age;
Whereas bone marrow failure diseases occur when the bone marrow stops making 
        enough healthy blood cells or produces poorly functioning blood cells;
Whereas the causes of aplastic anemia, MDS, and PNH remain unknown, but are 
        linked to toxins and viruses that commonly occur in our society and both 
        prescription and over-the-counter medications;
Whereas patients diagnosed with these diseases also suffer from anemia, 
        bleeding, infections, and thrombosis;
Whereas most treatments for bone marrow failure diseases are experimental, and 
        there is no single cure for these diseases;
Whereas the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation is the Nation's 
        oldest and largest patient advocacy and support network for individuals 
        suffering from bone marrow diseases; and
Whereas the Congress as an institution and Members of Congress as individuals 
        are in unique positions to help raise public awareness about bone marrow 
        failure diseases and to support the fight against these diseases: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) all Americans should gain a better understanding of 
        bone marrow failure diseases and their symptoms;
            (2) all individuals diagnosed with bone marrow failure 
        diseases and their families should have access to a variety of 
        treatment and counseling options;
            (3) families coping with bone marrow failure diseases 
        should be linked to support networks and counseling and 
        information services provided by non-profit organizations like 
        the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation; and
            (4) the Federal Government should--
                    (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the 
                importance of the early detection of, and proper 
                treatment for, bone marrow failure diseases;
                    (B) provide adequate funding for research into the 
                causes of, and improved treatment for, bone marrow 
                failure diseases;
                    (C) engage in such public health initiatives as 
                surveillance, education, and awareness of bone marrow 
                failure diseases; and
                    (D) continue to consider ways to improve access to, 
                and the quality of, health care services for detecting 
                and treating bone marrow failure diseases.
                                 <all>