[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1062-E1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORT OF H.R. 1098, 1281, 3548, 4080, AND 4631

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2014

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of five bipartisan 
public health bills that will help individuals with traumatic brain 
injuries, newborns, burn patients, and those with autism. The Energy 
and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, under the leadership of Rep. Joe 
Pitts, has been a workhorse that boasts an outstanding record of 
bipartisan accomplishment on legislation that truly touches people's 
lives. With a number of bills already

[[Page E1063]]

signed into law, and these under consideration this evening, the 113th 
Congress is shaping up to be known as the public health Congress.
  I would like to take this opportunity to highlight each of the five 
bills before us this evening.
  H.R. 1098, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act, would 
address a problem that affects millions of Americans, including both 
veterans and children. Introduced by Mr. Pascrell, this bill would 
assist states in developing and expanding service delivery capacity for 
individuals with a traumatic brain injury. According to some estimates, 
the economic burden of such injuries is more than $70 billion, and the 
physical and emotional toll endured by patients and their families is 
even more burdensome. This bill would help alleviate the problems 
associated with this unique and complex health problem, providing peace 
of mind to families across the country.
  H.R. 1281, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act, 
introduced by Reps. Roybal-Allard and Simpson, funds grants to allow 
states to expand their newborn screening programs, educate parents and 
health care providers, and improve follow-up care for infants diagnosed 
with a condition. Before the first passage of this bill in 2008, the 
number and quality of newborn screening tests varied from state to 
state. Today, with guidelines created by the bill, screenings reach 4 
million babies in the United States every year. Reauthorization will 
continue this important program and encourage more timely efforts to 
identify diseases, such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and ensure best 
practices. Early screening and diagnosis often means better disease 
management and better outcomes for these children.
  H.R. 3548, the Improving Trauma Care Act, introduced by Energy and 
Commerce Committee member Rep. Bill Johnson, is designed to correct the 
inconsistencies in the definitions of trauma that have resulted in gaps 
in care and coverage. This bill will help important trauma centers like 
Bronson Methodist Hospital's Burn Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan to 
better care for their patients.
  We will also consider H.R. 4080, the Trauma Systems and 
Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization. Introduced by Energy 
and Commerce Committee members Dr. Burgess and Rep. Green, the bill 
reauthorizes two programs related to the planning and development of 
regional emergency care. Both of these programs will improve trauma 
care so that Americans can promptly receive specialized, life-saving 
treatment after a traumatic injury.
  Finally we will consider H.R. 4631, the Autism CARES Act of 2014, 
introduced and championed by Reps. Chris Smith and Mike Doyle. The sad 
reality is that in the United States, autism now affects 1 in 68 
children and can cost a family approximately $60,000 annually. H.R. 
4631 continues autism-related research, early identification and 
intervention, education, and the activities of the Interagency Autism 
Coordinating Committee. It also asks the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services to collaborate with other federal agencies to prepare and 
submit a report concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder 
and the challenges related to their transition into adulthood. Finally, 
the research funded by this legislation also permits diagnosing and 
intervening earlier and thus help improve the quality of life for 
children with autism.
  This bill is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the 
Autism Society, and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, 
which includes over thirty different organizations including Autism 
Speaks, the Autism National Committee, and the Council for Learning 
Disabilities.
  We began our day in a bipartisan manner advancing the 21st Century 
Cures initiative and I am pleased to conclude the day by continuing our 
efforts to advance legislation to improve the public health. It is 
through these bills and this initiative that we can truly have an 
impact on the lives of all Americans.
  I urge my colleagues to support these bills.

                          ____________________