[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACT OF 
                                  2007

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, today I join my friend Kevin Brady of 
Texas in introducing the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education 
Act of 2007. This legislation will expand research and training efforts 
for treatment and an eventual cure for pulmonary hypertension, while 
establishing a nationwide clinical research network.
  Pulmonary hypertension, more commonly referred to as PH, is a silent 
killer that increases the blood pressure in the lungs to dangerous 
levels. As the walls of the arteries that take blood from the right to 
the left side of the heart thicken and constrict, the heart must pump 
harder and harder, ultimately failing over time.
  Over the past 5 years the number of patients of this deadly disorder 
has increased from 3,000 in 2001 to as many as 30,000 diagnoses in 
2006. Among them is my 22-year-old granddaughter, Charity, who was 
diagnosed with PH in 2004. In following her treatment, I know all too 
well the need for increased education of medical professionals. With 
the growing number of patients, new and more effective treatments are 
becoming available for PH sufferers, but effective management of this 
condition remains complicated. It requires the close supervision of a 
highly-trained medical professional, and someone who is dedicated to 
remaining on the cutting-edge of treating this disease.
  I believe our bill would give the National Heart, Lung and Blood 
Institute the tools they need to improve collaboration among the top PH 
research centers and to reduce the incidents of misdiagnosis. I am 
hopeful that this legislation would create avenues for disseminating 
new and life-saving knowledge among experts.
  Madam Speaker, the causes of pulmonary hypertension are still not 
fully understood. And it pains me to no end to note that there is no 
known cure. We can not waste anymore time. We must act swiftly to save 
30,000 vibrant lives, including that of my own beautiful granddaughter, 
from this slow and steady killer. I hope my colleagues will join me and 
Mr. Brady in putting the full force of Congress behind this important 
research.

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