[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 99 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL NASH AWARENESS DAY

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                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2018

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness about a silent 
killer that has quickly grown into a public health crisis endangering 
the lives of millions of Americans.
  Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, known as NASH, is a metabolic disease 
that, if left untreated, can lead to non-alcoholic cirrhosis, liver 
failure, liver cancer, and even death. The disease is estimated to 
affect between 3 and 12 percent of all American adults--including as 
many as 70,000 of my constituents.
  There are only a few physicians in Congress, and although our 
constituencies differ, we share a profound and personal connection to 
the individuals we serve. We also share an understanding that when a 
threat of this magnitude arises, we must take proactive steps to 
effectively diagnose and treat the disease.
  The most difficult part is that NASH is ``silent''; it does not 
present symptoms until late in the disease's progression. Most 
Americans with NASH in my district and across the country don't even 
know they have it.
  There is no approved cure for NASH and no alternative to an invasive 
and painful liver biopsy to diagnose the disease, and researchers have 
yet to get a full understanding of what causes it. With more research 
and professional awareness, we can start to improve early detection and 
halt disease progression while waiting for approved effective 
treatments.
  This past Tuesday, June 12, marked the first-ever International NASH 
Day. Medical experts in seven cities across the U.S. joined over 20 
international experts in the field of NASH to educate potential 
patients and other interested stakeholders to increase awareness and 
improve health outcomes.
  I ask my colleagues--physician or not--to remain vigilant and work to 
improve access to information about this disease, ensure access to 
healthcare, and provide adequate funding levels for research and care. 
It is the right prescription for a better, stronger, and healthier 
America.

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