[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1980-E1981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I submit the 
following.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Account: HRSA
  Name of Requesting Entity: University of Miami
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1252 Memorial Drive, Ashe 
Administration Building, Coral Gables, FL 33146
  Description of Request: I have secured $952,000 for the Pediatric 
Integrative Medicine. This funding will be used for the development of 
a pioneer center of excellence for a Pediatric Integrative Medicine 
Model, the following benefits will be realized: The University of Miami 
will become a resource for other institutions in the community as well 
as nationally who are interested in this model of care. By becoming a 
center of excellence, our patient population would have the advantage 
of receiving the most comprehensive care that is available nationwide. 
The collaboration between CAM practitioners and clinicians can increase 
the respect between the two health care delivery systems; may also 
establish trust by eliminating the competition usually occurring 
between the two fields. The holistic approach of most CAM interventions 
and therapies can increase awareness of health and wellness in children 
at an early age. With the impact that lifestyle and behavior have on 
health, children can reap the benefits of this early awareness well 
into adulthood. Through our Pediatric Integrative Medicine Model, the 
University of Miami would be poised to revolutionize pediatric care and 
advance the use of CAM as part of standard care. Specific targeted 
substudies may include: Water, one of the most important elements in 
our bodies yet one whose intake in children is universally limited. 
Exploring increased hydration therapy in children would be an 
inexpensive home-based intervention for improving health. Enzyme 
Deficiency, Implicated as a cause of illness and as an effecter of 
health, enzyme deficiencies can be improved through supplementation 
with natural products such as wheatgrass, raw juices and living foods. 
Ambient Lighting and Light Therapy, extended hospitalizations reduce 
exposure to sunlight, potentially causing Vitamin D deficiency. Would 
supplementation through Vitamin D-rich foods be effective in preventing 
this deficiency? Additionally, are there other adverse health effects 
of certain lighting techniques (e.g. fluorescent or flos-fluorescent 
light)? Probiotics, could probiotics be useful in maintaining optimal 
colon health in children? If so, are there dosage considerations to be 
explored based on the significantly smaller size of the colon? 
Furthermore, can the use of probiotics reduce recovery time in 
hospitalized children? Massage Therapy, the negative impacts of stress 
are present throughout all age groups in the U.S., but the data 
exploring CAM methods for stress reduction in children is sparse. 
Recognizing the benefits of massage in adults and even in neonates, 
could massage be beneficial to children with elevated stress levels 
(whether that stress is psychological or biological such as that from 
chronic diseases)? Is massage a significant effecter of biological 
markers of stress (inflammation, cytokines, C-reactive proteins etc.)? 
Others, exercise, polyunsaturated fatty acids, specific vitamin and 
other nutritional therapies, pediatric health behavior--adherence to 
CAM therapies and changes in mood outcome expectations--the 
possibilities are extensive.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Account: HRSA
  Name of Requesting Entity: Miami Children's Hospital
  Address of Requesting Entity: 3100 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miami, FL 33155
  Description of Request: I have secured $9,500,000 for the Miami 
Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Institute (CHI): Hybrid Pediatric 
Cardiac Suites. This funding will be used to improve the outcome for 
children with congenital heart disease through the construction of two 
new Hybrid Suites to maximize the potential of the tools and procedures 
that have been developed in Miami and elsewhere over the last 14 years. 
These adjoining hybrid suites will feature: full cardiac operating room 
capabilities including cardiopulmonary bypass,

[[Page E1981]]

dedicated pediatric cardiac anesthesia, state of the art hybrid cardiac 
surgical/interventional table, low dose digital flat panel imaging 
technology and operating room ventilation and temperature control. 
Additional features will also include: the first pediatric robotic 
hybrid suite, dynamic CT imaging of cardiac and thoracic structures, 
real time 3-dimensional image reconstruction allowing for new and 
unprecedented imaging of complex cardiac structures, state of the art 
networking and communication systems that facilitates real-time audio 
and visual communication of all images with colleagues throughout the 
hospital and our sister campus in Orlando, multiple in-room digital 
cameras and microphones for satellite broadcast transmissions, and a 
large viewing area and control rooms for visitors. The goal of CHI is 
to achieve 100 percent survivability for children with congenital heart 
disease, and to improve their health status throughout their lives. 
This mission is entirely consistent with the goals of HRSA and HHS, and 
better medical interventions at the early stages of the disease lead to 
better quality of life for patients, shorter hospital stays, and fewer 
hospital admissions over the lifetime. $9.5 million is requested for 
equipment acquisition and facilities build out, including: 
cardiopulmonary bypass equipment; dedicated pediatric cardiac 
anesthesia equipment; hybrid cardiac surgical/interventional table; low 
dose digital flat panel imaging technology; operating room ventilation 
and temperature control; pediatric robotic hybrid suite; dynamic CT 
imaging equipment; networking and communication systems; multiple in-
room digital cameras and microphones; and large viewing area and 
control rooms.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Account: HRSA
  Name of Requesting Entity: Collier County, FL
  Address of Requesting Entity: 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples, FL 34112
  Description of Request: I have secured $500,000 for the Interstate 
75/Everglades Blvd. Interchange. This funding will be used to support 
and further develop a heath care access network for the under/uninsured 
in Collier County. Collier County has identified more than 35,000 
residents who lack quality health care. Currently, the County is 
experiencing overuse of its emergency health facilities. The numbers of 
uninsured/underinsured will continue to grow as job growth in the area 
has been strongest among low-paying jobs, which typically do not offer 
health insurance. This project seeks to expand, organize, and develop a 
full access program with a full continuum of services for approximately 
35,000 residents needing health care. The initial phase of this project 
has been the adoption of a shared information database between the 
portals of entry for the poor into the system. Future phases of the 
project include marketing and full penetration of the pollution of the 
uninsured/underinsured individuals, and the hiring and training of 
community workers. The Physician Led Access Network (PLAN) is an 
example of a successful program helping the uninsured through 
physicians volunteering their time. The project will have a significant 
economic impact as lack of access to health care leads to diminishing 
physical and economic distress on individuals and communities.
  Requesting Member: Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Account: HRSA
  Name of Requesting Entity: Camillus House, Inc
  Address of Requesting Entity: 336 NW Fifth Street, Miami, FL 33128
  Description of Request: I have secured $3,633,000 for the 
Construction of a New Behavioral Health Facility for the Homeless. This 
funding will be used for the relocation and expansion to its main 
center for behavioral health treatment and supportive services programs 
to a new facility. Camillus will be able to provide more health care 
and social services to the poor and homeless in Miami-Dade County. 
Camillus is committed to ending chronic homelessness in Miami within 
the next 10 years, and this new expanded facility will help them reach 
that goal. In recognition of the value of the services Camillus 
provides to the community, Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami have 
each committed $10,000,000 to the project. Camillus House has provided 
humanitarian services to the poor and homeless populations of Miami-
Dade County, Florida for more than 48 years. Last year, Camillus House 
provided 360,000 free meals, emergency housing to 2000 individuals, 
over 27,000 medical encounters as well as substance abuse and work 
training programs. Services include basic emergency services such as 
food and shelter, substance abuse and mental health treatment, primary 
health care, housing, and career development at 15 sites around Miami-
Dade County. One of Camillus' most successful programs is its 
behavioral health treatment program. Camillus operates one of the 
country's most effective residential behavioral health treatment 
programs--with an outstanding success rate of 89 percent.

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