[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 164 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ISOTOPES PRODUCTION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 5, 2009

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 3276, the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009. 
Currently a vast majority of our nation's critical supply of medical 
isotopes are imported from Canada and the Netherlands. Yet, 
unforeseeable and unpreventable disruptions and delays in obtaining the 
isotopes has severely impacted nuclear medical procedure throughout the 
country.
  The American Medical Isotopes Production Act will enable research 
institutions, like Washington State University in my district, that 
already have reactors capable of producing low enriched uranium to 
supply a significant portion of U.S. demand for molybdenum-99 and other 
medical isotopes. The domestic production of moly-99 will ensure that 
facilities such as WSU can store isotopes necessary to continue 
treatment and early detection programs for cancer, heart disease, and 
thyroid disease.
  Madam Speaker, this bipartisan bill not only will lower the cost and 
improve medical treatments here at home but it will be a significant 
step in reducing the United States reliance on foreign energy. The 
American Medical Isotopes Production Act is a fiscally responsible 
measure that makes the United States safer, more independent, and will 
provide hospitals across the country with the resources they need to 
continue to provide the best healthcare in the world. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 3276, the American Medical Isotopes 
Production Act of 2009.

                          ____________________