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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, gave the following opening statement this morning at a subcommittee markup of three bills.
"Good morning. Today the Subcommittee is meeting to mark up several important bills:
- H.R. 20, the “Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act”
- H.R. 2295, the “ALS Registry Act”
- H.R. 507, the “Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007”
"All of these bills have been worked out in advance, which has allowed us to move them through the Subcommittee today.
"Let me begin by saying that I am extremely pleased that we are able to move the Melanie Blocker-Stocked Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, which is sponsored by Congressman Rush, and co-sponsored by a number of other members of the Committee, including myself.
"Postpartum depression is a devastating mood disorder that strikes many women during and after pregnancy. While the causes of postpartum depression are complex and unknown at this time, if diagnosed properly and treated with social support, therapy and medication, relief is highly attainable. This legislation will help combat postpartum depression by encouraging the research that is necessary to determine its causes and to discover appropriate treatments or cures. In addition, based on the compromise we reached, the legislation will encourage a national awareness campaigns to increase knowledge about postpartum depressions.
"I want to thank Mr. Rush for his unwavering commitment to this issue, as well as Mr. Pitts for his efforts to work with Mr. Rush to reach an accord so this bill can move forward.
"In addition to H.R. 20, we are acting on H.R. 2295, the “ALS Registry Act”, a bill introduced by my good friend, Mr. Engel from New York. This bill, which would create a single nationwide ALS registry, is long overdue. ALS, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a debilitating and fatal disease that affects motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord.
"Constituents of mine impacted by this disease have described its effects as being 'buried alive slowly over the course of a few years'. An ALS registry would allow researchers to collect vital information on the incidence and prevalence of this terrible disease and work towards a cure so we can prevent Americans from suffering such an unspeakable fate. Thank you Eliot for all the work you have done to move this bill forward. I know the families impacted by ALS are grateful for all your efforts.
"Finally, we will mark up H.R. 507, the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2007, a bill introduced by the Subcommittee’s Vice-Chair, Mr. Green. This legislation would establish a grant program through the Centers for Disease Control to provide comprehensive eye examinations, treatment services and help disseminate educational materials regarding vision impairment in children.
"As much of our time in the Subcommittee this year has been focused on the health needs of children, I am glad that we are able to take additional steps to improving the vision care available to our nation’s youth. This bill will ensure that children who would otherwise be unable to access the eye care they need to live happy and healthy lived don’t have to go without.
"Thank you Gene, for all your efforts in garnering consensus behind this bill. I know that it has not been an easy task over the years, but all your hard work will benefit a great number of children.
"Thank you again to all the members and staff with the minority and majority who worked so diligently to prepare these three bills for today’s markup. I would now like to recognize my good friend Mr. Deal for five minutes for the purpose of making an opening statement."
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