Lung Cancer Alliance-Georgia Hails Senate Leadership on Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009

/PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance-Georgia (LCA-GA) acknowledged Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) for their leadership and support in establishing the first ever multi-agency, comprehensive program targeted at lung cancer.

Entitled Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009, S.332 authorizes a five year program to reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer which continues to be the number one cause of cancer deaths both nationally and in the state of Georgia. Lung cancer causes more deaths each year than breast, prostate, colon, kidney, melanoma and liver cancers combined.

"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women. Anything that can be done to increase the parity in funding for this deadly disease will be a significant advance in reducing cancer morbidity and mortality," commented Senator Chambliss. "This legislation is a strong step in the right direction."

"We must make every effort to address lung cancer comprehensively and not overlook the import of earlier detection and better disease management," said Senator Isakson. "This is how we are going to make a difference in lung cancer mortality,"

In thanking the senators for their support, LCA-GA Chair and lung cancer survivor, Ed Levitt said, "Senators Chambliss and Isakson are looked to as leaders on cancer issues and their co-sponsorships of this breakthrough legislation is very significant. We sincerely thank them and look forward to working to continue to improve lung cancer outcomes in Georgia and beyond."

The bill requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to combine forces on a comprehensive, coordinated plan of action with funding authorized for five years to accomplish the mortality reduction goal.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is required to review its funding priorities in order to meet the lung cancer mortality reduction goal and more national institutes are called on directly to take part, including the National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and the National Institute for Environmental Health

To ensure accountability, the bill requires an annual report to Congress and creates an oversight board composed of the three Cabinet Secretaries and representatives from the fields of lung cancer treatment, research and advocacy.

In addition, the bill directs the Secretaries of Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans' Affairs (VA) to implement an early detection and disease management program for military personnel who are at high risk for lung cancer because of smoking or exposure to carcinogens during active duty.

The bill also:
-- Authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create a new Lung
Cancer Mortality Reduction drug program with incentives for new
treatments, targeted therapies, vaccines and chemoprevention drugs for
precancerous conditions.
-- Requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carry out
an early disease research program targeted at the high incidence and
mortality rates among minority and low-income populations.


The bill includes specific authorizations of $75,000,000 for certain NIH agencies in FY10 and authorizes such additional sums as may be necessary for all the cited agencies to accomplish the goal for FY 2010 through FY2014.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

National Advocacy Organization Representing Home Oxygen Patients Praises Introduction of Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Act

/PRNewswire/ -- Providing a voice to home oxygen patients nationwide, including patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases, the National Emphysema/COPD Association (NECA) today called the Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Act of 2009 (H.R. 3220) a patient-focused piece of legislation that protects the best interests of the nation's 1.5 million beneficiaries and promotes quality home oxygen care.

"Home oxygen provides patients with improved quality of life by allowing them to receive oxygen safely in their home, maintain activities of daily living and remain active in their communities. We appreciate that this legislation recognizes the important patient services that oxygen users need to feel secure in their care," said Barbara Rogers, President of NECA. "As a home oxygen user, I fully understand the critical importance of the services that accompany home oxygen care. NECA strongly supports the Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Act and encourages Congress to adopt this legislation into healthcare reform."

The Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Act of 2009 establishes a standard set of patient services that all oxygen providers must deliver to beneficiaries, including routine patient evaluations, patient monitoring, equipment training and maintenance and emergency services, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring oxygen users are receiving the medically appropriate level of oxygen that meets their needs and allows them to live safely and comfortably. By ensuring access to these services and important patient safeguards, this legislation recognizes that home oxygen is much more than a piece of oxygen equipment; it is a healthcare service that provides life-supporting oxygen, which enables patients to breathe.

"Without home oxygen, many patients would be housebound or in a long term care facility, so in a sense, home oxygen gives people their lives back by allowing them to maintain their independence," Rogers said. "The average oxygen user in our community is elderly, lives alone, has multiple co-morbidities and fully depends on their home oxygen services to avoid revolving emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations associated with their COPD or other lung condition. Legislation that strengthens our benefit by assuring much-needed patient services and education is good for all home oxygen patients, across the board."

Across the United States, more than 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other degenerative lung conditions. COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death and the second leading cause of disability in the United States, and is on the rise. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, approximately 12 million additional adults are thought to have undiagnosed impaired lung function, which indicates COPD is grossly under diagnosed. As a progressive, incurable disease that causes irreversible loss of lung function, COPD can severely confine patients by limiting their daily living activities. Home oxygen therapy is one of the only effective treatments for these patients when properly used.

"An oxygen benefit that puts the needs of patients first is what our community needs, which is why we support this bill," added Rogers.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Problems with Boniva, Actonel & Fosamax

Many are taking Fosamax, Boniva and other similar drugs designed to stave off osteoporosis. Here's two articles we encourage you to read:

Fosamax, Boniva & Actonel Linked To Jaw Bone Disorders

http://injury-law.freeadvice.com/drug-toxic_chemicals/fosamax-linked-to-jaw-bone-disorders.htm

Merck Braces for Flood of Fosamax Lawsuits
Osteoporosis Medication Can Destroy Patients' Jawbones

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/02/fosamax.html