[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8685-H8686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MRSA AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 988) designating the month of March 2008 as 
``MRSA Awareness Month,'' as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 988

       Whereas Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 
     is a type of infection that is resistant to treatment with 
     the usual antibiotics and is one of the most common pathogens 
     that cause Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) in the 
     United States and in many parts of the world;
       Whereas a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention estimates that in 2005 more than 94,000 invasive 
     MRSA infections occurred in the United States and more than 
     18,500 of these infections resulted in death;
       Whereas the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus infections 
     in the United States that are attributable to MRSA has grown 
     from 2 percent in 1974 to 63 percent in 2004;
       Whereas the annual number of hospitalizations associated 
     with MRSA infections, including both HAIs and community-based 
     infections, more than tripled between 1999 and 2005, from 
     108,600 to 368,600;
       Whereas approximately 85 percent of all invasive MRSA 
     infections were associated with healthcare;
       Whereas serious MRSA infections occur most frequently among 
     individuals in hospitals and healthcare facilities, 
     particularly the elderly, those undergoing dialysis, and 
     those with surgical wounds;
       Whereas individuals infected with MRSA are most likely to 
     have longer and more expensive hospital stays, with an 
     average cost of $35,000;
       Whereas there has been an increase in reported community-
     acquired staph infection outbreaks, including antibiotic-
     resistant strains, in States such as Illinois, New York, 
     Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, 
     the District of Columbia, and Alaska;
       Whereas clusters of community-acquired MRSA infections have 
     been reported since the late 1990s among competitive sports 
     teams, correctional facilities, schools, workplaces, military 
     facilities, and other community settings;
       Whereas a person who is not infected with MRSA can be a 
     vehicle for the transmission of infections through skin-to-
     skin contact; and
       Whereas many instances of MRSA transmission can be 
     prevented through the use of appropriate hygienic practices, 
     such as hand washing and appropriate first aid for open 
     wounds and active skin infections, are followed: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the importance of reducing the transmission 
     of infections in hospitals and ensuring appropriate use and 
     utilization of antibiotics to meet patient and public health 
     needs;
       (2) recognizes the importance of operational research for 
     finding the best ways of preventing hospital- and community-
     acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 
     and developing new antibiotics for improving care for MRSA 
     patients;
       (3) recognizes the importance of raising awareness of MRSA 
     and methods of preventing MRSA infections; and
       (4) supports the work of advocates, healthcare 
     practitioners, and science-based experts in educating, 
     supporting, and providing hope for individuals and their 
     families affected by community and healthcare associated 
     infections.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in support of H. Res. 988 
designating the month of March 2008 as MRSA Awareness Month.
  MRSA is a type of infection that is resistant to treatment with 
regular antibiotics. While healthy individuals can acquire MRSA as 
well, it is most likely to occur among parts of our population least 
equipped to deal with its

[[Page H8686]]

effects such as those individuals in hospitals and health care 
facilities who have weakened immune systems.
  The latest information regarding MRSA is disconcerting. Infections 
are on the rise as hospitalizations associated with MRSA more than 
tripled from 1999 to 2005. We must do more to raise awareness and stem 
the tide of this infection.
  The resolution before us recognizes the need to continue research to 
find the best ways of preventing hospital and community-acquired MRSA. 
As a community, we must be careful to prevent overuse of antibiotics 
and to create hygienic and sanitary conditions in our hospitals and 
other health care facilities.
  This resolution also lends support to advocates, health care 
practitioners, and others on the front line in the battle against MRSA. 
Through a unified effort, we can provide hope for those who are 
personally affected by this infection.
  I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Matheson of Utah, for his 
hard work in bringing this resolution to the floor.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in support 
of its adoption.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in favor of House Resolution 
988 and support designating the month of March as the Methicillin-
Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Awareness Month. I also want to thank 
the sponsor of this resolution, Representative Jim Matheson of Utah, 
for his work on this issue.
  Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as ``staph,'' is a potentially 
dangerous bacterium that can cause skin infections that look like 
pimples or boils. Staph infections also can cause redness, swelling, 
pain, and drainage at the site of infection. They can be warm to the 
touch and cause a fever.
  Some staph infections are resistant to certain antibiotics and this 
makes it harder to treat. These infections are known as methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. They result from direct 
contact with people who have the infection.
  Now anyone can get a staph infection, anyone can get a resistant 
staph infection. It is becoming more and more common. The national 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Americans visit 
their physicians approximately 12 million times a year to get checked 
for potential staph infections. In some areas of the country, more than 
half of the skin infections are caused by resistant strains of staph, 
according to the CDC.
  While most serious methicillin-resistant staph infections occur among 
individuals in hospitals and health care facilities, there are 
community-acquired infections among competitive sports teams, 
correctional facilities, schools, workplaces, military facilities, 
homeless shelters, and other community settings. These infections 
usually occur through skin-to-skin contact, and even individuals who 
are not infected with resistant staph can be a vehicle for its 
transmission.
  This resolution recognizes the importance of raising the awareness of 
methicillin-resistant staph aureus and methods of preventing infections 
through appropriate hygienic practices, such as hand washing, 
appropriate first aid to open wounds. In addition, the Centers for 
Disease Control conducts MRSA surveillance, prevention, education 
campaigns to raise awareness, and laboratory research to identify 
genetic patterns or relationships among the different types of 
resistant staph that could be used for prevention and control 
strategies.
  I urge my colleagues to join us in recognizing March as the 
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Awareness Month, and I urge 
Members to support the resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I urge 
adoption of this MRSA Awareness Month Resolution.
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 988, a 
resolution honoring MRSA awareness. I introduced this resolution with 
my colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Cubin. First, I would like to thank 
Representative Cubin for working with me on this resolution, as well as 
the staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee, several stakeholder 
organizations who advocated in support of this resolution, and most 
importantly over 80 of my colleagues who joined me on this resolution.
  Since the 1940s, the widespread availability of antibiotics, such as 
penicillin, and the subsequent discovery of additional antibiotics have 
led to a dramatic reduction in illness and death from infectious 
diseases. Today, antibiotics continue to save lives and also have led 
to many other advances. However, bacteria and other infectious disease-
causing organisms through mutation and other mechanisms are able to 
develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. The more antimicrobials are 
used, whether appropriately or inappropriately, the quicker resistance 
develops. Worrisome recent examples of drug resistance which have been 
highlighted in the news include community-associated MRSA.
  An October 2007 article published in the Journal of the American 
Medical Association (JAMA) concluded that more than 94,000 invasive 
methicillin-resistant Staph aureus, MRSA, infections occurred in the 
United States in 2005. More than 18,500 of these infections ended in 
death. The CDC estimates that Americans visit doctors more than 12 
million times per year for skin infections typical of those caused by 
staph bacteria. In some areas of the country, more than half of the 
skin infections are MRSA. In my home State of Utah, reported cases of 
MRSA are steadily rising. According to the Bureau of Epidemiology for 
the Utah Department of Health, there were 4,904 cases in 2006.
  MRSA and other drug-resistant microbes that were once confined to ill 
hospital patients are now striking down otherwise healthy individuals, 
including schoolchildren, athletes and members of the Armed Forces. The 
resulting ``super infections'' are painful, difficult to treat, and 
cost billions of dollars to the U.S. health care system annually. 
Patient stories about this silent, yet sinister, pandemic are tragic 
and heart-wrenching. They should not go unnoticed and unanswered by 
Congress.
  By bringing much needed attention to MRSA, this resolution will 
highlight the need for Congress and Federal health agencies to identify 
and coordinate efforts to address this growing problem.
  Thank you and I urge my colleagues to support adoption of the 
resolution.
  Mr. PALLONE. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 988, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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