Michael Burgess

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5462, the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction and Awareness Act of 2010, legislation that I authored with the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro). This bill was developed over a period of several months with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control. It does speak volumes that a bill can come this far in such a short period of time when we are willing to do our due diligence prior to introduction. I have dedicated my professional career to protecting mother and child, while providing them with the most accurate information possible and the health services that they need. People like to think that doctors have all the answers. Doctors like to think the CDC can provide all the information, but that isn't always the way it works. I can't tell you the number of times that women came into the hospital, usually late at night, because she was concerned about the health of her baby. Maybe it was because of something she had done, maybe she just had concerns. But this type of unnecessary utilization can be reduced by education, particularly among populations that may not have had the same level of health literacy as to how this could have happened. H.R. 5462 will provide mothers with up-to-date, evidence-based information through services designed to do targeted research. We have such a service in Texas. I used them when I was in practice. Ideally, they should be serving at least 4 percent of our pregnant population but are only able to serve up to 3,000 persons today. Those cases are important, but I know we can do better. Many women with chronic diseases may discontinue or reduce medications when they become pregnant due to fears about the risk of birth defects. In fact, in many cases the medications cause a lower risk of birth defects than the failure to treat and appropriately manage the underlying disease during pregnancy. Pregnancy risk information services provide information and expert consultation to pregnant women and their health care providers regarding exposures to medications, chemicals, illicit drugs, alcohol, infections, and illness that may pose a risk of birth defects. These services also provide information on exposures during breast-feeding. The information provided reduces unnecessary concern about perceived and nonexistent risk and ensures that women stay on the path to a healthy pregnancy. Currently, Federal agencies are only able to provide awareness and information about pregnancy and breast-feeding issues. They do not provide pregnancy and breast-feeding exposure risk assessment, education, and counseling. This legislation will establish a grant program to revitalize the Nation's network of pregnancy risk information services. This will help save health care costs by avoiding unnecessary doctor visits and reducing the cost of treating uncontrolled chronic illness when pregnant women discontinue their medications unnecessarily. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just wanted to point out that this legislation has the support of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the March of Dimes Foundation, amongst many others. I join these organizations in urging my support for this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I also urge our colleagues to support the technical corrections which are necessary for the previously passed bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 758, the Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act, would allow the National Institutes of Health to support up to 20 national pediatric research consortia that would conduct vital pediatric research. Specifically, the Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act would allow but not require the National Institutes of Health award grants to public or nonprofit private entities to pay for the cost of planning, establishing, and providing a basic operating support for up to 20 national pediatric research consortia. These consortia would conduct basic clinical, behavioral, social, and translational research. They could also provide training on advanced diagnostic and treatment methods relating to pediatrics. The consortia will foster efficiency and collaboration at all levels of pediatric research, and they will provide patients with greater access to vital research. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5354. I worked on this bill with Mr. Engel. This bill has gone through regular order and passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously, and I thank all of the staff involved, from the personal staff levels of Mr. Engel's office and mine, and the committee staff for their hard work on the bill before us today. As an obstetrician, I have witnessed the effect of gestational diabetes on both mother and child. Gestational diabetes is a growing problem, and we really don't know why. Unlike type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes has a very different issue, requiring a unique approach. Gestational diabetes affects between 2 and 5 percent of pregnant women, about 135,000 cases in the United States each year, and usually occurs late in pregnancy. If left untreated, gestational diabetes can have a significant impact on both mother and child. Women and children affected by gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and it is associated with additional health problems for both mother and child during both pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, once a mother contracts gestational diabetes, her chances are 2 in 3 that it may return in future pregnancies. That is why this act, the Gestational Diabetes Act of 2009, is a vital investment in our future. This bill will allow for the collection of data and the study of risk factors, as well as continued postpartum evaluations, with the goal of developing proven intervention strategies that will lower the rates of gestational diabetes. For example, maternal obesity is an independent and more important risk factor for large infants and women with gestational diabetes than it is with simple glucose intolerance. This legislation has the support of many groups, including the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. There is currently an insufficient system for monitoring cases of gestational diabetes to uncover trends and target at-risk populations. This legislation will go beyond what we do know and promote public health research to understand the epidemiological, socioenvironmental, behavioral, translation, and biomedical factors that influence the risk of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Current treatments are primarily focused on diet and exercise, but there is general disagreement about the degree to which each should be recommended and the overall effectiveness of this approach. There needs to be greater understanding by both providers and patients on how to prevent and treat this condition. New therapies and interventions to detect, treat and slow the incidence of gestational diabetes need to be identified. Through targeted research we will be able to identify triggers that result in gestational diabetes in women with no previous risk factors. Given the tremendous impact for this disease, I urge support of the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, seeing no further speakers on my time, I will just say the increased incidence in the United States has raised the prevalence, but the risk of gestational diabetes can also be due to genetics, ethnicity, and maternal age. The rates of gestational diabetes are higher among women of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American descent. In addition, there is currently an insufficient system for monitoring cases of gestational diabetes, which this legislation will begin to correct. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2999, the Veterinary Public Health Workforce and Education Act, would take important steps to increase the number of public health veterinarians. Food animal veterinarians play a vital role in public health, and experts have said that there is a major shortage. This shortage will have a negative impact on our public health, including the safety of our Nation's food supply. This legislation will help us solve that problem. H.R. 2999 would allow those seeking veterinary public health degrees to be eligible for public health workforce loan repayment programs. It would also permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award training grants to increase the veterinary public health workforce. On committee we worked in a bipartisan basis to ensure that it is crystal clear that our Nation's food animal veterinarians will be eligible for programs under this bill. We need more food animal veterinarians, and this will help us get there. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2818, the Methamphetamine Education, Treatment and Hope Act, would reauthorize the residential treatment program for pregnant and low-income women. Currently, the program is only available for those receiving inpatient drug addiction treatment. This legislation would expand the scope to women who are receiving outpatient treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, methamphetamine is a stimulant that is highly addictive. The drug can have a severe impact on an individual's physical and mental well-being. Under the legislation, priority for the grants would be given to programs in rural areas and mental health professional shortage areas that have high rates of addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank our colleague from Texas for sharing his story with us. Just to reiterate. Physical exams and blood tests are a primary means of diagnosing the disease, and all men should discuss this matter with their physicians to determine the best course for them, particularly men who are most at risk. Again, I want to thank Representative Neugebauer from Texas for his work on the resolution, which calls for an increase in awareness of the screening methods and treatments of prostate cancer and continued research into the causes and potential cures. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this resolution, I urge Members to support H. Res. 1485.

Mr. BURGESS. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of H.R. 1362, which I authored with Mr. Van Hollen. There are over 400,000 Americans living with MS and millions of more Americans who live with some form of neurological disorder. As co-chairman of the Congressional MS Caucus, I have been working to further research into the development of MS and other neurological disorders to help the population of Americans living with MS. I firmly believe that a national surveillance system will be a critical first step toward allowing our researchers access to information that could be the key to finding cures. The other night, I was told that we are running for second base in our efforts to cure neurological diseases and that we have never tagged first. This bill, H.R. 1362, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act of 2010, is our first base. Currently, there is no formal coordinated system to track and collect data on these diseases, and the lack of comprehensive data collection impedes progression to finding a cure. In fact, the last national study of the prevalence of MS was conducted 34 years ago. This integrated research will help drive innovation and will provide a solid understanding of how factors such as gender and age influence disease prevalence. As diagnoses are made, we will have the ability to create progression markers, allowing for the compilation of the data and the construction of treatments for future patients with similar backgrounds. Through these efforts, we will be able to disseminate information and to encourage high-risk populations to connect to the available resources. This legislation will emphasize the study of the epidemiology of neurological diseases. It is vital that we examine previous trends of the disease as they relate to geography, environmental factors, and heredity in order to forecast future trends. In order to advance, we must create a foundation of research for the millions of Americans suffering from MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other conditions. The National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act of 2010 has wide support, including by the National MS Society and the Parkinson's Action Network, among many others. The bill before us reflects countless hours of negotiation. I want to thank Anne Morris and Ryan Long, who are with the committee, as well as Ray Thorn, who is with Mr. Van Hollen's office, for their work. This bill went through regular order. It passed the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously, and it has come to the floor a better product because of the bipartisan work. I have spoken to medical students several times recently, and I have told them that the tools and technologies they will have at their disposal will revolutionize the practice of medicine. This bill is part of that future. A surveillance system will aid doctors on the ground right now who are struggling with ensuring a proper diagnosis. For example, with an MS examination, it generally reveals evidence of neurologic dysfunction, often asymptomatic in other locations. It is not science fiction to think that, in the future, a scientist noticing a genetic or blood marker in certain patients will be able to use surveillance systems like the ones created under this bill to link genetic factors with occupations, environmental and other demographic information. As diagnoses are made, we will have the ability to create progression markers, which will help researchers compile the data and construct treatments for future patients with similar backgrounds. That is how we will get the vaccines, the treatments, and the cures for the next generation. Future physicians will be able to tailor treatment to patients based on previous results and will be able to disseminate the information and encourage high-risk populations to connect to available resources, but we need to put in place the first building blocks. The epidemiologic evidence supports the role of environmental exposure to conditions like multiple sclerosis. MS also correlates with high socioeconomic status, which might reflect improved sanitation and delayed initial exposure to infectious agents, but we will not be able to be sure until we can monitor on a statistically significant basis. Again, I want to reiterate my strong support for the bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 6012, the diabetes screening bill, would require Health and Human Services to review the utilization of diabetes screening tests available to seniors under Medicare and make recommendations to increase utilization. We obviously don't know the cause of diabetes, but both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of activity appear to play roles. Diabetes affects an estimated 24 million Americans. Approximately 57 million Americans have a pre-diabetic condition. Identifying those with diabetes early can reduce the likelihood of people developing costly and debilitating conditions associated with the disease. We do need to know if people are using this provided service, and if not why not, and examine how do we ensure to connect people with the service. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. I urge passage of S. 3751 to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Authorization Act that was enacted in 2005 and is now being implemented. The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program provides support to patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell who need a potentially lifesaving bone marrow or cord blood transplant. One of the goals of the program is to increase the amount of marrow donors and cord blood units. This program has been a success, and the reauthorization will allow us to continue the good work that was started in 2005. Again, I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1032, the Heart Disease Education, Analysis, Research, and Treatment for Women Act, would take several important steps in the fight against heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. First, the amended bill would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the extent to which sponsors of new drugs, biologics, and devices follow current guidelines with respect to providing clinical trial data by gender and ethnicity. It would also require the Secretary to submit a report to Congress by September 30, 2013, and annually thereafter on the quality and access to care for women with heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease. Finally, the bill would reauthorize the Wise Women Program for 5 years. The program provides preventative benefits to uninsured and underinsured women who are at high risk of heart disease. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 5986, the Neglected Infections of Impoverished Americans Act of 2010, would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a report on neglected diseases of poverty, including parasitic diseases. Researchers have suggested that poor citizens are affected by infections, including those caused by parasites. Under the bill, the Health and Human Services Department must conduct a study within 12 months on the epidemiology and impact of neglected parasitic infections associated with poverty. The report would provide the information to guide future health policy so we can accurately evaluate the current state of knowledge concerning such diseases and define gaps in the knowledge so that we can properly address the threat of such illnesses. It's a worthwhile endeavor. It's been significantly modified by the committee process, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. BURGESS. I yield back the balance of my time.