[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7075-S7076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. 
        Murray, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Sarbanes):
  S. 1289. A bill to provide for research and education with respect to 
uterine fibroids, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Uterine Fibroid 
Research and Education Act of 2005. This bill would increase funding 
for research on uterine fibroids as well as create an education 
awareness campaign to make sure women and their doctors have the facts 
they need about this painful, chronic condition. I want to thank 
Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones for introducing this legislation 
in the House of Representatives and Senators Clinton, Kennedy, Murray, 
Cantwell, Boxer, and Sarbanes for joining me as original cosponsors.
  Uterine fibroids are a major health issue for American women. It is 
estimated that three in every four women have uterine fibroids. 
Although many women with fibroids have few or no symptoms, it is 
projected that one in every four women seeks medical care for the heavy 
bleeding, pain, infertility, or miscarriage that uterine fibroids 
cause.
  Despite their prevalence, little is known about uterine fibroids, and 
few good treatment options are available to women who suffer from them. 
In fact, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality at the 
Department of Health and Human Services found ``a remarkable lack of 
high quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of most 
interventions for symptomatic fibroids. More than 200,000 women undergo 
a hysterectomy each year to treat their uterine fibroids. Women deserve 
better. That's why I am introducing the Uterine Fibroid Research and 
Education Act--to find new and better ways to treat or even cure 
uterine fibroids.
  This bill does three things. First, it expands research at the 
National Institutes of Health, NIH, by doubling funding for uterine 
fibroids from $15 million to $30 million. This funding will provide the 
investment needed to jumpstart basic research, and lay the groundwork 
to find a cure. This additional funding will help researchers find out 
why so many women get uterine fibroids, why African American women are 
disproportionately affected, what steps women can take to prevent 
uterine fibroids, and what the best ways to treat them are.
  Second, this legislation coordinates research on uterine fibroids 
through

[[Page S7076]]

the Office of Research on Women's Health, ORWH. More than a decade ago, 
I fought to create this Office at NIH to give women a seat at the table 
when decisions were made about funding priorities. This bill directs 
this Office to lead the Federal Government's research effort on uterine 
fibroids. A coordinated research effort is needed to make the best use 
of limited resources and to give women a one-stop shop to find out what 
the federal government is doing to combat uterine fibroids.
  Finally, this bill creates education campaigns for patients and 
health care providers. A recent survey conducted by the Society for 
Women's Health Research, cited as many as one-third of women who have 
hysterectomies do so without discussing potential alternatives with 
their doctors. This bill will make sure women can count on their 
doctors for information about the best possible treatment for uterine 
fibroids. It will also give women the facts they need to make good 
health care decisions and take control of their health.
  Since my first days in Congress, I have been fighting to make sure 
women don't get left out or left behind when it comes to their health. 
From women's inclusion in clinical trials to quality standards for 
mammograms, I have led the way to make sure women's health needs are 
treated fairly and taken seriously. This legislation builds on these 
past successes to address this silent epidemic among American women.
  The Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act is supported by the 
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for 
Women's Health Research, and the Black Women's Health Imparitive. I 
look forward to working with these advocates and my colleagues to get 
this bill signed into law.

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