[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE INTERNATIONAL MYELOMA FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today to help raise 
awareness of myeloma. Myeloma is a cancer in the bone marrow affecting 
production of red cells, white cells, and stem cells. It is also 
commonly known as ``multiple myeloma'' since it affects multiple areas 
of bone marrow.
  Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas. Each 
year approximately 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with myeloma and 
10,000 lose their battle with this disease. At any one time there are 
over 100,000 myeloma patients undergoing treatment for their disease in 
the U.S.
  Although the incidences of many types of cancers are decreasing, the 
frequency of myeloma cases continues to climb. Once thought of as a 
disease of the elderly, it is now being found in increasing numbers in 
people under 65 and it is not uncommon to find patients in their 30s.
  As the oldest and largest myeloma foundation, the International 
Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is dedicated to improving the quality of life 
of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure. This 
dedication has led to dramatic and important advances in treatment for 
multiple myeloma in the last few years. Unfortunately, the needless 
disparity in coverage between oral and intravenous (IV) chemotherapy 
has left many patients unable to utilize many of these breakthroughs.
  I believe myeloma patients and their doctors should be able to take 
advantage of the treatment that is best suited for each patient, and 
not have to select their treatment based on insurance coverage. This is 
why I introduced my bill, HR 2366, The Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act 
of 2009. The Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act works to eliminate these 
inequities for cancer patients whose insurance has differences in the 
way oral and intravenous chemotherapy treatments are covered. This is 
an important issue for myeloma patients, their families, and every 
American battling cancer.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the exemplary work being done by the IMF to improve the 
quality of life of myeloma patients and their families and their 
efforts to find a cure in the fight against cancer.

                          ____________________