[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3786-H3788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL ASTHMA AND ALLERGY AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 407) expressing support for 
designation of May as ``National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month,'' 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 407

       Whereas allergies are among the most common diseases in the 
     United States;
       Whereas an estimated 50,000,000 or 1 in 5 Americans suffer 
     from all types of allergies;
       Whereas approximately 3,000,000 school-aged children have a 
     food allergy and the number of American children with a 
     peanut allergy doubled between 1997 and 2002;
       Whereas the prevalence of allergies has increased since the 
     early 1980s in the United States across all age, sex, and 
     racial groups;
       Whereas allergies are the most frequently reported chronic 
     condition in children;
       Whereas almost 4,000 people die each year from asthma-
     related causes, and asthma is a contributing factor in 
     another 7,000 deaths every year;
       Whereas allergic reactions can be severe enough to cause 
     death;
       Whereas it is estimated that the cost of allergies is 
     nearly $7,000,000,000 each year;
       Whereas an estimated 20,000,000 or 1 in 15 Americans suffer 
     from asthma, and over 50 percent of asthma cases are 
     ``allergic-asthma'';
       Whereas, due to asthma, each day in America 40,000 people 
     miss school or work, 30,000 people have an attack, 5,000 
     people visit the emergency room, 1,000 people are admitted to 
     the hospital, and 11 people die;
       Whereas asthma is the most common chronic condition among 
     children, affecting more than 1 of every 20 children;
       Whereas asthma is more common among children (8.9 percent) 
     than adults (7.2 percent);
       Whereas nearly 6,500,000 asthma sufferers are under the age 
     of 18;
       Whereas ethnic differences in asthma prevalence, morbidity, 
     and mortality are highly correlated with poverty, urban air 
     quality, indoor allergens, lack of patient education, and 
     inadequate medical care;

[[Page H3787]]

       Whereas asthma accounts for nearly 2,000,000 emergency room 
     visits in the United States each year;
       Whereas each year, asthma accounts for more than 10,000,000 
     outpatient visits and 500,000 hospitalizations;
       Whereas 40 percent of all asthma hospitalizations are for 
     children;
       Whereas asthma is the third-ranking cause of 
     hospitalization among children;
       Whereas among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is a leading 
     cause of school absences from a chronic illness;
       Whereas asthma accounts for an annual loss of more than 
     12,800,000 school days per year, which is approximately 8 
     days for each student with asthma, and it is estimated that 
     children with asthma spend nearly 8,000,000 days per year 
     restricted to bed;
       Whereas the annual cost of asthma is estimated to be nearly 
     $18,000,000,000;
       Whereas the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America first 
     declared ``National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week'' 25 
     years ago in May 1984;   
       Whereas each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of 
     America declares May as ``National Asthma and Allergy 
     Awareness Month''; and
       Whereas the month of May 2010 would be an appropriate month 
     to designate a ``National Asthma and Allergy Awareness 
     Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Asthma and 
     Allergy Awareness Month'';
       (2) supports the designation of a ``National Asthma and 
     Allergy Awareness Month'';
       (3) encourages local communities to raise awareness 
     surrounding the prevalence of asthma and allergies;
       (4) encourages awareness about disparities in asthma cases 
     based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status;
       (5) recognizes and salutes health care professionals that 
     treat asthma- and allergy-related health issues each day; and
       (6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation's commitment to 
     continued education surrounding asthma and allergy treatment 
     and symptoms and to advancing care for both asthma and 
     allergy conditions.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Castor) and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 407. 
This resolution expresses support for the designation of the month of 
May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. I would like to 
thank my colleague, Congressman Dave Reichert of Washington, who 
partnered with me on this resolution. Congressman Reichert and I 
cochair the Congressional Children's Health Care Caucus.
  Today's resolution focuses on two conditions that affect millions of 
Americans, asthma and allergy. Asthma is a respiratory disease that is 
caused when the lungs become inflamed and constricted. Asthma attacks 
can be so severe that they can be life-threatening.
  An estimated 20 million Americans currently have asthma, and it is 
the most chronic condition in children. Asthma accounts for nearly 2 
million emergency room visits per year, and costs America about $18 
billion annually. More than 12.8 million school days are lost each year 
due to asthma, approximately 8 days for each student with asthma. This 
makes it very difficult for parents who may miss work because their 
child is home from school after an asthma flare-up.
  There is no cure for asthma. Almost 4,000 people die each year from 
asthma-related conditions. The best course of action is to manage the 
disease by preventing symptoms and treating attacks when they occur. 
Improved care and management has the potential to not only save lives, 
but also to reduce the number of people suffering asthma attacks so 
they don't miss work or have to visit the emergency room or the 
hospital.
  Our resolution also underscores the disparities in asthma based on 
race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. It is important to work to 
improve asthma-related outcomes for all Americans, but particularly for 
those who are disproportionately affected by the disease.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us also focuses on allergy. This 
refers to reactions by the immune system when a person comes into 
contact with certain substances that act as triggers. Allergies are 
most often triggered by pollen. They can also be triggered by exposure 
to other substances like certain food or pets.
  Like asthma, allergy is a common disease among Americans. 
Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Approximately 
3 million school-aged children have a food allergy. And the prevalence 
of allergy has increased across all age, sex, and racial groups in the 
last decade.
  Symptoms of allergy also vary. And we understand this very well this 
time of year. The symptoms can be rather mild or for some people very 
severe. Hives and swelling of the throat and allergic reactions can be 
severe enough to cause death. So it's important to consider the impacts 
of allergy as an individual condition.
  We must also not overlook the connection between allergy and asthma. 
Over 50 percent of asthma cases are triggered by allergens. Today's 
resolution gives us an opportunity to learn more about asthma and 
allergy and the impact of these conditions upon American families. It 
encourages local communities to raise awareness surrounding these 
diseases.
  The resolution also recognizes and salutes the important work of 
health professionals who treat asthma-and allergy-related health 
issues. Finally, the resolution recognizes and affirms the Nation's 
commitment to education surrounding the care for these two conditions.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  On behalf of the Republican side of the Energy and Commerce 
Committee, I rise in support of H. Res. 407, to support the designation 
of May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. About 50 million 
Americans suffer from allergies and around 20 million suffer from 
asthma. Of those 20 million asthma sufferers, over half have both 
allergies and asthma.
  While it's rare, allergies and asthma attacks can be deadly. But even 
a more mild attack can keep a child home from school or a parent out of 
work. While allergies and asthma are often chronic conditions, they can 
be managed with medication. Inhalers, for instance, allow people with 
asthma to participate in sports, and a wide range of medications are 
available to those who suffer from allergies. In fact, my nephew 
Raymond played baseball all through his youth having to carry his 
inhaler.
  Many of us rely on common, everyday over-the-counter medications to 
deal with allergies. Unfortunately, the health care bill will increase 
the cost of drugs to Americans because they will no longer get the 
benefit of untaxed dollars through their FSAs to purchase over-the-
counter drugs for conditions like allergies. The actual cost to 
Americans for these medications will therefore increase, forcing them 
to go to prescription drug levels, and increasing the costs to health 
care. Additionally, the majority's health care bill will increase the 
costs or create a direct tax on inhalers and breathing devices.
  Now, some might try to say that the savings really wasn't that great, 
and the benefit of this massive trillion-dollar government scheme will 
far outweigh the costs. But the fact is that Americans who suffer from 
chronic allergies and asthma have to purchase medications on a regular 
basis. Over time, savings from an FSA can add up. And it's kind of like 
how massive deficits year after year lead to a $13 trillion deficit. 
There may be some benefit to someone at some point in time from the 
President's health care bill, but in the meantime all the American 
people are getting is higher costs.
  I support this resolution and urge Members to vote for it. However, I 
am opposed to some of the policies implemented by this Congress that 
would increase the cost of treatment for those with allergies and 
asthma.
  Mr. Speaker, I understand the gentlelady is prepared to close, so at 
this

[[Page H3788]]

time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger).
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. 
However, I find it interesting that we are discussing the hardships 
faced by those with allergies and asthma, when just over 2 months ago 
the Democrats rammed through a health care law that will prohibit 
Americans from using pretax dollars to buy over-the-counter allergy 
medicines and impose harsh new taxes on prescription drugs used in 
asthma inhalers.
  Beginning next year, the Democrats' health care overhaul will 
prohibit the 45 million Americans with flexible spending arrangements 
and health savings accounts from using this money to purchase over-the-
counter drugs like Claritin or Zyrtec. This amounts to a $5 billion tax 
increase. Those with asthma will soon see their out-of-pocket costs 
increase because the Democrats' health overhaul imposes a $27 billion 
tax on drug manufacturers, including those who make inhalation drugs. 
Mr. Speaker, that's nothing to sneeze about. The Medicare actuaries 
expect this, quote, ``tax would generally be passed through to health 
consumers in the form of higher drug prices.''
  Mr. Speaker, it's time to repeal the Democrats' health law and 
replace it with commonsense reforms that actually lower health care 
costs, not raise them.
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my 
colleague from the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Terry, for his 
participation today. We're not going to repeal the health care reform 
law. It's too important to American families. We're going to make it 
work. And we're all in this together to make it work.
  If you have asthma or if you have an allergy, the new health reform 
bill is very positive for you and your family because now no longer 
will health insurance companies be able to deny coverage based upon a 
preexisting condition. So if your child has a severe case of asthma, 
that health insurance company can no longer say, No, we're not going to 
cover that.
  The new health reform law is good news for American families, 
especially those with asthma and allergies, because no longer will 
health insurance companies be able to cancel your policy just because 
you get sick. So if you have a health insurance policy and you come 
down with a severe case of asthma or your child does, under our law 
health insurance companies will no longer be able to cancel you because 
you have developed that condition. The same goes for breast cancer, the 
same goes for any terrible condition. And this is a real world solution 
for our families all across America.
  More good news from the health care plan. There are many students in 
college these days that before they reached age 26 they were often left 
in the lurch. Now, under the health reform law we say that health 
insurance companies have to keep your kids on your policy until they 
turn age 26. There are plenty of young students today that are having a 
tough time finding a job, and this is an important lifeline for them.
  I think we should also focus on our Medicare patients, because 
sometimes a condition like asthma gets a whole lot worse as someone 
ages. The good news under the health reform law is that Medicare 
patients will get free checkups and preventative care. So hopefully, if 
a chronic condition is developing, we can prevent it if they go in, and 
not have to worry about copayments anymore that are very expensive if 
you're on a fixed income. And you can get coverage that you need, the 
checkups and preventative care, whether it's asthma or allergies or 
some other serious condition.
  I think it's probably going to help Medicare patients as well because 
some of them are spending a lot of money on their pharmaceuticals and 
drugs. So if you need those inhalers now and you're falling into the 
doughnut hole because you're spending a lot, we're going to be able to 
help you out for those seniors that are falling into that doughnut 
hole, meaning they are spending a lot on their drugs, whether it's 
asthma, allergies, or some other medication that they need.
  So I am not sorry that this turned into a debate on health care. 
We're not going to repeal it. We're going to work together. Those are 
the values we share in America. We're going to make health reform work 
for American families, all of us. We're in this together. We don't need 
to waste time on repeal. We're going to dedicate ourselves, all of us, 
to making it work for American families.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to urge my colleagues to support our 
designation of May as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. I urge my 
colleagues to support the resolution.

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 407, 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.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. 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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