Lawmakers Continue Bipartisan Effort to Diagnose, Treat & Cure Pulmonary HypertensionIn the 15 years I’ve been fighting this rare disease, we are making good progress but we need to do more. Better coordination among health agencies will help us diagnose the disease sooner and identify treatments for this rare and too often fatal disease.Washington, DC — Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced H.R.3520, the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Diagnosis Act of 2015, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create an interagency committee to coordinate all efforts within the Department concerning pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare, debilitating disease that affects the arteries of the lungs and can lead to heart failure, often affecting women and children. Congressman Brady noted that, “In the 15 years I’ve been fighting this rare disease, we are making good progress but we need to do more. Better coordination among health agencies will help us diagnose the disease sooner and identify treatments for this rare and too often fatal disease.” This year Congressman Brady sat down with Dr. George Mallory, a pediatric pulmonologist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, to discuss some of the challenges to treatment in children. Dr. Mallory added, “I applaud Representative Kevin Brady for his efforts to raise awareness within our government and country about the uncommon, but often devastating condition known as pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH results from a number of different diseases and affects children and adults of all ages. Despite advances in treatment over the last 20 years, there is great room for more resources, more education and more informed medical care of these individuals.” The Pulmonary Hypertension Association has long supported the legislation and the bipartisan efforts in Congress to get the bill across the finish line. Megan Stehling, Executive Director at the Lone Star Chapter of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, added “Unfortunately, the treatments are complex and still leave many PHers unable to work and struggling to find a ‘new normal’ in their personal lives. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association salutes Congressman Brady and Congresswoman Capps who have championed this bipartisan bill for seeking solutions that will give those with PH longer, better lives.” Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pulmonary hypertension is most common among women, non-Hispanic blacks, and among people aged 75 or older with the average diagnosis age being 36 years old. While no cure exists for this rare disease, treatment options are available to help minimize the effects. Commonly diagnosed as asthma, current research efforts focus on finding quicker, less invasive ways to diagnose the disease. Other supporting organizations include: American Lung Association American Medical Association American Association for Respiratory Care American Thoracic Society The text of the legislation can be found here. |
