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Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 23, 2024
Location: Washington, DC


Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 7189, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Representative Bilirakis and cosponsored by Representative Soto. The bipartisan legislation will reauthorize a national congenital heart disease program through 2029.

In the United States, about 40,000 babies are born with congenital heart disease, or CHD, every year. Congenital heart disease prevents normal blood flow through the heart and can become a critical issue that results in a baby needing surgery or other procedures early in life.

Thanks to scientific advancements in diagnosis and treatment, many babies and children can reach adulthood living with CHD. To continue our progress, we have to continue to support research, surveillance, and awareness for CHD.

First passed in 2010, the bipartisan Congenital Heart Futures Act authorized research and data collection related to CHD.

The act expands the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's infrastructure to track epidemiological data for CHD. It also increased the National Institutes of Health's research to study lifelong CHD to see how those with the disease can still live a long and healthy life.

H.R. 7189 will reauthorize our national congenital heart disease program so we can continue to make strides in addressing CHD. It also builds on our Nation's CHD program.

This bill will assess current research efforts at NIH to ensure we have a better understanding of CHD. The bill also expands research at the CDC by directing the agency to understand healthcare utilization, demographics, and best practices for CHD.

Finally, the bill allows CDC to establish and implement an awareness campaign so that those with CHD and their families understand the healthcare needs related to this birth defect.

Again, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Bilirakis and Soto, for their leadership in reauthorizing the Congenital Heart Futures Act.

Thanks to their efforts, we can pass this bill and continue to make strides in addressing CHD.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we support this important bill on a bipartisan basis to continue to address the Nation's CHD program effectively.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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