LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

September 2003

Fiscal year (FY) 2004 appropriations bills
Other bills specifically mentioning NHLBI-supported programs
Asthma Act (H.R. 2018) Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2003 (S. 1559)	Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Act (H.R. 892) Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Research and Care Act (H.R. 2456)
Bills of interest that do not mention the NHLBI
Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 (H.R. 2852) Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Improvement Act (S. 314) Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 (S. 1053) Healthy Nutrition for America's Children Act (H.R. 2832) Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act (S.1172)	Minority Diabetes Initiative Act (H.R. 2553) Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act (H.R. 1916) Minority Populations Diabetes Prevention and Control Act of 2003 (H.R. 1144) Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003 (S. 650) Women's Health Office Act of 2003 (S. 1304)
Resolutions related to NHLBI interests
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month (H. Con. Res. 6, S. Con. Res. 59) National Marrow Donor Program (H. Con. Res. 206)	Public Access Defibrillation Programs (H. Con. Res. 250)

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Fiscal year (FY) 2004 appropriations bills

On June 10, 2003, the House of Representatives passed its version of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 2004 appropriations act (H.R. 2660). The bill includes $2,867,995,000, as requested in the President’s budget, for the NHLBI. This is a 2.66 percent increase over the $2,793,733,000 that the NHLBI received in FY 2003.

The Senate version (S. 1356), which the appropriations committee approved on June 26, includes $2,897,595,000 for the NHLBI.

In their reports, both the House (House Report 108-188) and Senate (Senate Report 108-81) mention NHLBI activities related to:
Alzheimer’s disease. cardiovascular diseases. Cooley’s anemia. Diamond-Blackfan anemia. hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. juvenile diabetes. Marfan syndrome.	myelodysplasia and myeloproliferative disorders. neurofibromatosis. peripheral arterial disease. pulmonary hypertension. scleroderma. sleep apnea. tuberculosis and AIDS.
The House also is interested in NHLBI support of research on:
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. lupus. lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).	pseudo-xanthoma elasticum. transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
The Senate is interested in training activities for:
allied health professionals. hematology specialists through the Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Network.
The Senate also would like the NHLBI to implement recommendations from:
the 2003 Sleep Disorders Research Plan. the Federal plan to respond to asthma that was required by the Children’s Health Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-310).
Moreover, the Senate encourages the NHLBI to undertake specific activities such as:
a research initiative to determine whether sustained heart recovery is achievable through circulatory assist devices. a prospective, randomized trial, conducted in conjunction with Walter Reed Medical Center, “to compare the outcomes of utilizing a demanding vegetarian diet versus a more liberal diet that would also utilize lipid-lowering drugs, as well as the impact of relaxation response-based stress management programs. a “State of the Science Conference” to identify research priorities related to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

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Other bills specifically mentioning NHLBI-supported programs

Asthma Act (H.R. 2018)

Introduced by: Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)
Referred to: House Committees on Education and the Workforce and on Energy and Commerce
Date: 5/7/03
Summary: Would require the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program coordinating committee to submit a report:

describing the scope of the problem of asthma in the United States.
listing all Federal programs that have asthma-related activities.
containing recommendations for strengthening and better coordinating Federal asthma activities.

Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2003 (S. 1559)

Introduced by: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
Referred to: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Date: 8/1/03
Summary: Would expand the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis and other CDC activities, and authorize the NHLBI to grant Tuberculosis/Pulmonary Infections Awards to support research “into the basic biological processes and mechanisms involved in tuberculosis, as well as research into the development of new diagnostic techniques and treatments.” The bill also mentions the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the John E. Fogarty International Center.

Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Act (H.R. 892)

Introduced by: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 2/25/03
Summary:Would require the Director of the NIH, in coordination with the NHLBI and the NIH Office of Rare Diseases, to:

hold a workshop to develop a research plan for Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
support research on Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
expand and maintain the Diamond-Blackfan anemia national registry.

Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Research and Care Act (H.R. 2456)

Introduced by: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 6/12/03
Summary: Would require the NIH Director, in coordination with the NHLBI, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the Office of Rare Diseases, to support a research initiative to study, develop better treatments for, and cure Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

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Bills of interest that do not mention the NHLBI

Cord Blood Stem Cell Act of 2003 (H.R. 2852)

Introduced by: Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 7/24/03
Summary: Would establish, under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Network that would prepare, store, and distribute human umbilical cord blood stem cells for transplantation.

Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Improvement Act (S. 314)

Latest action: Passed by the Senate and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Date: 7/18/03
Summary: Would require the NIH Director to transfer $500,000 to the Foundation yearly.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003 (S. 1053)

Latest action: Report (S. Rept. 108-122) filed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Date: 7/31/03
Summary: Would prohibit discrimination because of genetics with respect to insurance and employment.

Healthy Nutrition for America's Children Act (H.R. 2832)

Introduced by: Rep. Richard (Doc) Hastings (R-WA)
Referred to: House Education and the Workforce Committee
Date: 7/23/2003
Summary: Would expand a U. S. Department of Agriculture program that provides free fruits and vegetables to elementary and secondary school students.

Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity (IMPACT) Act (S.1172)

Introduced by: Sen. William H. Frist (R-TN)
Referred to: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Date: 6/3/2003
Summary: Would require the CDC, in coordination with other Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) components, to award grants to increase physical activity and improve nutrition to prevent eating disorders, obesity, overweight, and related conditions.

Minority Diabetes Initiative Act (H.R. 2553)

Introduced by: Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 6/19/03
Summary: Would authorize the DHHS Secretary to award grants to provide treatment for diabetes in minority communities.

Diabetes Prevention Access and Care Act (H.R. 1916)

Introduced by: Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 5/1/03
Summary: Would require the NIH to expand its research and other activities related to pre-diabetes and diabetes in minority populations.

Minority Populations Diabetes Prevention and Control Act of 2003 (H.R. 1144)

Introduced by: Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 3/6/03
Summary: Would expand an existing CDC program to prevent and control diabetes in minority populations and would authorize appropriations for the implementation of recommendations of the NIDDK Diabetes Research Working Group.

Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003 (S. 650)

Latest action: Passed by the Senate and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 7/24/03
Summary: Would authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require research into pediatric uses for drugs and biological products.

Women's Health Office Act of 2003 (S. 1304)

Introduced by: Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Referred to: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Date: 6/20/2003
Summary: Would establish an Office of Priority Populations at the Agency for Heathcare Research and Quality and Offices of Women's Health at the CDC, HRSA, FDA, and DHHS.

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Resolutions related to NHLBI interests

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month (H. Con. Res. 6, S. Con. Res. 59)

Introduced by: Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Latest Action, H. Con. Res. 6: Passed in the House and referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (7/17/03).
Latest Action, S. Con. Res. 59: Referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee(7/24/03).
Summary: Would support the goals and ideals of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month.

National Marrow Donor Program (H. Con. Res. 206)

Introduced by: Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 6/4/03
Summary: Would support the National Marrow Donor Program and other bone marrow donor programs and encourage Americans to learn about the importance of bone marrow donation.

Public Access Defibrillation Programs (H. Con. Res. 250)

Introduced by: Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Referred to: House Energy and Commerce Committee
Date: 7/23/03
Summary: Would recognize community activists, organizations, and municipal governments that are establishing public access defibrillation programs.

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Content last modified: 8/27/03
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