[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE ``POISON CONTROL CENTER ENHANCEMENT AND AWARENESS 
                             ACT OF 1998''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 1998

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation that I 
am introducing with my colleague and friend Rep. Ed Towns to provide a 
stable source of funding for our nation's poison control centers, 
create a national toll-free number to provide ready access to these 
centers, and increase public education about poison prevention and the 
availability of poison control resources.
  Poison control centers provide vital, very cost-effective services to 
the American public. Each year, more than 2 million poisonings are 
reported to poison control centers throughout the United States. More 
than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home, and over 50 
percent of poisoning victims are children under the age of 6. For every 
dollar spent on poison control center services, seven dollars in 
medical costs are saved.
  In spite of their obvious value, poison control centers are in 
jeopardy. They are currently financed through unstable arrangements of 
various public and private sources. Over the last two decades, the 
number of centers has steadily declined, jeopardizing access to 
services.
  The legislation I am introducing today will provide up to $27.6 
million per year over the next five years to provide a stable source of 
funding for these centers, establish a national toll-free poison 
control hotline, and improve public education on poisoning prevention 
and services. The legislation is designed to ensure that these funds 
supplement--not supplant--other funding that the centers may be 
receiving and provides the Secretary of Health and Human Services with 
the authority to impose a matching requirement.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this very cost-
effective investment in the safety and health of the American public, 
especially our children.

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