Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act of 2010

Floor Speech

* Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1230, the Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act.

* Every year, it is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with some form of acquired bone marrow failure disease.

* This classification of diseases, which include myelodysplastic syndromes (commonly known as MDS), aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (known as PNH), and others, take a debilitating and deadly toll on those diagnosed, forcing patients and families to deal with significant health, social, and economic hardships.

* In some cases, MDS can even progress over time to become leukemia, which affects hundreds of thousands of Americans in its own right.

* And while individuals stricken with these conditions can take some action to prolong their lives, this diagnosis offers little hope that affected patients will ever fully recover.

* In light of this, I introduced the Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act to enhance and intensify current and future efforts in the fight against bone marrow failure diseases.

* This legislation would support increased research on these still relatively unstudied diseases, including what genetic and environmental factors may be associated with the condition and best practices for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

* In addition, the bill would authorize coordinated outreach and informational programs targeted to minority populations affected by these diseases, including information on treatment options and clinical trials research.

* These provisions are critical to the individuals affected by bone marrow failure diseases and their families, as it would bring both tangible progress to fighting these diseases, and provide hope to those who have suffered their effects.

* This bill has bipartisan support, 62 cosponsors, and has incorporated suggestions from both sides of the aisle.

* Mr. Speaker, I commend our Leadership and thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Pallone and their staff for bringing H.R. 1230 to the floor, and for their commitment to protecting the health of all Americans.

* I urge my colleagues to support passage of this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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