[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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