[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 81 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 81

  Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding bone marrow diseases.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 6, 2007

   Mr. McGovern (for himself and Mrs. Bono) 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 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 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 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 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 
        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 diseases and their symptoms;
            (2) all individuals diagnosed with bone marrow diseases and 
        their families should have access to a variety of treatment and 
        counseling options;
            (3) families coping with bone marrow 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 diseases;
                    (B) provide adequate funding for research into the 
                causes of, and improved treatment for, bone marrow 
                diseases;
                    (C) engage in such public health initiatives as 
                surveillance, education, and awareness of bone marrow 
                diseases; and
                    (D) continue to consider ways to improve access to, 
                and the quality of, health care services for detecting 
                and treating bone marrow diseases.
                                 <all>