[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1431-S1432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD (for himself and Mr. Bunning):
  S. 390. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to 
provide for coverage of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic 
aneurysms under part B of the medicare program; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I come to the floor today, along with my 
colleague Senator Jim Bunning, to introduce the Screening Abdominal 
Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently SAAAVE Act of 2005. This important 
legislation would provide Medicare coverage for screening for a 
dangerous condition known as abdominal aortic aneurysm--or AAA.
  The SAAAVE Act is designed to save the lives of those suffering from 
abdominal aortic aneurysms, a silent killer that claims the lives of 
15,000 Americans each year. AAAs occur when there is a weakening of the 
walls of the aorta, the body's largest blood vessel. This artery begins 
to bulge, most often very slowly and without symptoms, and can lead to 
rupture and severe internal bleeding. AAA is a devastating condition 
that is often fatal without detection, with less than 15 percent of 
those afflicted with a ruptured aorta surviving. Estimates indicate 
that 2.7 million Americans suffer from AAA.
  With introduction of this important legislation, Congress recognizes 
abdominal aortic aneurysm screening as essential to stopping its deadly 
effects. Research indicates that when detected before rupturing, AAAs 
are treatable and curable in 95 percent of the cases. And while most 
AAAs are never diagnosed, nearly all can be detected through an 
inexpensive and painless screening.
  I am particularly pleased that the U.S. Preventive Services Task 
Force recently recommended AAA screening for all men between the ages 
of 65 and 75 that have ever smoked. This independent panel of experts 
in primary care and prevention concluded that screening for abdominal 
aortic aneurysms for this particularly vulnerable population is 
especially important. The

[[Page S1432]]

recognition of this screening measure by this respected body makes 
perfectly clear the lifesaving potential offered by AAA screening.
  For more than four decades the Medicare program has provided a 
literal lifeline for America's seniors and individuals with 
disabilities. However, for far too long this valuable program--
originally crafted only to provide needed care after an illness--failed 
to cover valuable preventive services. Recently, though, Medicare has 
evolved to include a number of preventive measures, such as mammography 
and colorectal screenings. With today's introduction of the SAAAVE Act, 
we again move Medicare toward greater inclusion of lifesaving 
preventive measures. This legislation reflects the changing attitudes 
toward the value of preventive health care services and moves us toward 
modernizing the Medicare program to better meet the needs of its more 
than 40 million beneficiaries. With enactment of the SAAAVE Act, 
instead of waiting to treat a ruptured aorta, Medicare will now help 
high-risk seniors avert this often-deadly disease through preventive 
and lifesaving screening.
  Lastly, I want to thank the legislation's chief sponsors in the House 
of Representatives, Gene Green and John Shimkus. Representatives Green 
and Shimkus have been tireless advocates on behalf of patients 
suffering from abdominal aortic aneurysms and their devotion to 
modernizing the Medicare program to include greater preventive services 
is truly admirable. I look forward to continuing working with my 
colleagues from the House to advance the SAAAVE Act in the 109th 
Congress.

  When Senator Bunning and I first introduced this legislation in the 
last Congress, we were joined by patients who had suffered a ruptured 
aorta as result of an AAA and their families. At this event these 
patients shared with us their harrowing and personal stories of 
battling this deadly condition. It is because of struggles like theirs 
that we are here today at the outset of an effort to prevent abdominal 
aortic aneurysms from advancing to the point of rupture by providing 
coverage for a simple yet lifesaving screening. Simply, Mr. President, 
this legislation is about saving lives. I urge all of my colleagues to 
support the SAAAVE Act.
  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joining Senator Dodd 
from Connecticut today in re-introducing the Screening Abdominal Aortic 
Aneurysms Very Efficiently Act of 2005--also known as the SAAAVE Act--
in the 109th Congress.
  This is an important bill that could potentially save the lives of 
many Medicare beneficiaries. Unfortunately, too many Americans die from 
ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms each year without ever knowing they 
had this condition. In fact, less than 15 percent of people who have a 
ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm survive.
  That is why our bill is so important. The SAAAVE Act would add a new 
screening benefit to Medicare so that people at risk for abdominal 
aortic aneurysms could be tested. The test is simple. In fact, it's 
just an ultrasound test, which is painless, non-invasive and 
inexpensive.
  Medicare beneficiaries found to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm 
could have surgery if needed or could simply be monitored by their 
doctors.
  Early detection is the key to preventing ruptures of these aneurysms 
and preventing deaths. In fact, these aneurysms can be successfully 
treated 95 percent of the time if they are detected before rupturing.
  The legislation also includes a national educational and information 
campaign to get the word out about the health risks associated with 
abdominal aortic aneurysms. Too often, those with these aneurysms 
simply don't know they have one until it ruptures. The educational 
campaign requires the Department of Health and Human Services to focus 
their education efforts not only on the general public, but also among 
health care practitioners as well.
  I am pleased we are introducing this bill today, and I look forward 
to working with my colleague from Connecticut in getting it passed.

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