[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     INTRODUCTION OF THE ASTHMA ACT

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                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 1998

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ASTHMA Act--
Action Strategies To Help Millions of Asthmatics--on behalf of myself 
and my colleague from Texas, Joe Barton. This bipartisan legislation, 
which is the result of months of research and preparation, will provide 
our nation with new tools to battle the epidemic of asthma that 
continues of affect millions of Americans--especially our children.
  Asthma affects more than 14 million Americans, including almost 5 
million children. Every year, asthma results in 500,000 
hospitalizations and claims 5,500 lives. Since 1980, reports of asthma 
are up more than 75 percent. Tragically, the asthma-related death rate 
among children has risen equally fast. Asthma remains one of the 
leading causes of absenteeism from school and costs our nation more 
than $6 billion per year.
  Mr. Speaker, public health experts do not have all of the answers, 
but they know plenty. We now have the collective knowledge and 
experience to help millions of sufferers control and manage their 
asthma. We can reduce absenteeism in school and the workplace, reduce 
costly ER visits and hospitalizations, and help millions of Americans 
live happier, more productive lives.
  Earlier this year, the Daily News published an award-winning series 
of articles highlighting the asthma problem in New York City. The 
ASTHMA Act would go a long way to addressing those problems. It would 
expand federal asthma data collection efforts; promote new health 
guidelines on asthma prevention and treatment; educate the public about 
the dangers of asthma--and how to manage it; and improve the response 
of local schools and state children's health programs.
  Our legislation is supported by organizations leading the battle 
against asthma, such as the American Lung Association, the Joint 
Council of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, Mothers of Asthmatics, as 
well as pharmaceutical manufacturers and managed care plans.
  Mr. Speaker, asthma is not a partisan problem. It affects Texans and 
New Yorkers, Republicans and Democrats, men and women, and our 
children. As a nation we can and should be doing much better. I invite 
my colleagues to join Congressman Barton and me in our effort to help 
asthmatics lead healthier, happier, more productive lives.

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