[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 147 (Friday, November 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 6190 ``THE ASTHMA INHALERS RELIEF ACT OF 2012''

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                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6190, the 
Asthma Inhalers Relief Act, introduced by Congressman Burgess. This 
legislation would authorize the distribution and sale of one million 
asthma inhalers that use over-the-counter epinephrine, named Primatene 
Mist. This product was sold in aerosol canisters containing CFC's, or 
chlorofluorlicarbons. CFC products have been banned under the Clean Air 
Act and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone 
Layer. Consequently, this legislation is opposed by many organizations 
because it involves the widespread use of a CFC product.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand with Ranking Member Waxman as well as with the 
American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and 
other national public health organizations in opposition to this bill. 
I strongly believe in ensuring affordable, quality health care options 
for all Americans who suffer from asthma; however, I am opposed to 
legislation that would undermine our commitment to international treaty 
and that would continue to deplete the ozone. There are safer and more 
effective ways of safeguarding public health. One way to do this is for 
Congress to take up and pass H.R. 6284, the Breath of Fresh Air Act, 
which I introduced earlier this year.
  Across the United States, nearly 25 million people have been 
diagnosed with asthma, including 7 million children. This serious 
disease impacts every district in every state, and its effects are far-
reaching. I have been particularly concerned with the issue of asthma, 
especially as it affects my home district in California. The Ports of 
Long Beach and Los Angles operate within and near the 37th 
Congressional District, and if left unregulated, the California Air 
Resources Board estimates that the ports will be the largest source of 
pollution in the state by 2020 greater than the impact of every car on 
the road in California. The neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Long Beach 
rank as one of the U.S. cities most polluted by Particle Pollution.
  Low-income and minority communities are disproportionately affected 
by this chronic respiratory disease, and their health outcomes are 
likely to be worse. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency 
reports that black children are twice as likely to be hospitalized and 
four times as likely to die from asthma as white children. Low-income 
and minority communities also disproportionately live in areas 
afflicted with high levels of air pollution, allergens, and other 
environmental factors that trigger asthma attacks. They may also have 
limited resources to direct toward asthma management or to deal with 
the financial challenges of medical bills and missed days at school and 
work.
  Authorizing the sale of epinephrine will not address the challenges 
that asthma patients face. National health organizations have 
repeatedly issued expert guidelines that advise patients on how to 
manage their asthma, and none of them recommend the use of over-the-
counter medications. In addition, Primatene Mist has been banned since 
December 31, 2011. This means that patients have already transitioned 
away from this medicine and have been using alternative medications for 
almost a full year. A temporary reversal of this ban would be confusing 
to patients and would not provide them with a sound long-term plan for 
asthma management. In fact, the only group that stands to profit from 
such a reversal is the manufacturing company, not asthma patients.
  I do agree with Congressman Burgess when he says that Congress must 
be on the side of asthma patients, and I am working hard to make sure 
that Americans have access to quality and timely care. That is why in 
August, I introduced H.R. 6284, the Breath of Fresh Air Act, which has 
been endorsed by the Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics. 
This legislation would establish a grant program to make funds 
available to elementary and secondary schools to purchase nebulizers. A 
nebulizer is an extremely easy-to-use medical device that delivers 
medicine in the form of a mist directly to the person's lungs. 
Oftentimes it is the best remedy for young children who may not 
cooperate in their time of distress. By making these devices available 
at local schools and treating symptoms as soon as they present 
themselves, we can take significant steps toward reducing the number of 
asthma-related emergency room visits each year.
  Mr. Speaker, it is critical that Americans who suffer from asthma 
have access to lifesaving medications and health care. I am glad to see 
Congress recognize the challenges that Americans with asthma face, and 
it is my hope that we can continue making this a legislative priority. 
I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 6190 and instead support the 
Breath of Fresh Air Act and other legislation that directly improves 
the lives of asthma patients without sacrificing environmental 
standards.

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