The Health Care Debate

Many Americans agree that health reform is necessary. But brewing among this consensus is the not-quite-fully-formed or fully-articulated fear, that amidst the enthusiastic reform-minded hubbub, Washington is about to throw the baby out with the bath water.

Use the link below to continue reading the 3-part series on healthcare by Congressman Forbes.

Read more.

Health Benefits Toolkit Use this guide to organize your information on premium payments, policy numbers, and more. More...

Investing in Medical Technology Congressman Forbes has introduced a bill to reduce health care costs and bring health care into the 21st century. More...

The Future of Health Care Congressman Forbes discusses seeking balance in health care by providing higher quality health care at a lower cost and protecting patient-doctor relationships. More...

Increased funding for federal HIV/AIDS programs. Congressman Forbes voted for S. 1793, which continues HIV/AIDS treatment programs. There are more than 50,000 new cases of HIV infection in the United States each year. The bill would strengthen care for those living with HIV/AIDS by increasing resources by five percent, or about $2.5 billion annually, for emergency relief, comprehensive care and early intervention programs.   This bill passed the House by a voted of 408-9. 

Promoted the awareness of inflammatory skin disease. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 656, to support the goals and ideals of National Inflammatory Skin Disease Awareness Month. One in three people in the United States suffer from inflammatory skin disease at any given time, which can often lead to serious illness or infection if not detected early.

Preventing Fraud in Medicare.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2875, legislation that would establish a Commission to work with Medicare and the medical community to standardize and simplify Medicare billing practices while protecting patient privacy. The bill would help improve payment policies for healthcare services and prevent fraud and abuse in the Medicare system.

Protected seniors from increased premiums. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3631 to prevent an increase to Medicare Part B premiums next year since seniors may not receive an annual cost-of-living increase in their Social Security benefits. The bill passed the House by a vote of 406-18.

Called for improvements to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) trials. Congressman Forbes cosponsored for H.R. 2149, which would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to upgrade and unify existing SMA clinical trial sites to establish a national clinical trials network for SMA. SMA is a genetic disease that impacts the spinal cord and brain stem and leads to muscle atrophy. Despite the fact that SMA is incurable, untreatable, and fatal, it is estimated that the gene is carried by more than seven million unknowing parents.   

Protecting Consumers from Health Insurance Cancellation.  Congressman Forbes introduced the Health Care Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3584), a bipartisan bill to protect consumers from losing their insurance coverage because of one missed payment. In many cases, individuals have had their health benefits canceled because they missed a payment, often due to hospitalization or postal office error. This bill gives individuals the opportunity to reinstate their cancelled benefits once they pay back premiums.

Supported the goals and ideals of senior caregiving and affordability.  Congressman Forbes supported H. Con. Res. 59, which encourages affordable and accessible care for seniors and recognizes the efforts of family caregivers nationwide. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 387 - 0.

Raised awareness of infant mortality issues in the United States. Congressman Forbes supported H. Res. 260, expressing the importance of lowering the rate of infant mortality and confronting the racial disparities in prenatal care. This resolution passed the House by a vote of 415 - 0.

Several thousand constituents of the Fourth District participated in a telephone town hall with Congressman Forbes on September 7 to discuss healthcare reform. Constituents shared with Rep. Forbes their concerns with a government takeover of America’s health care system. To read more about Congressman Forbes’ healthcare solutions, click here.

Attended the President's address to a joint session of Congress on healthcare. Following the speech, Congressman Forbes posted the following blog entry on his website.  He also joined members of the Judiciary Committee in writing a letter to Representative John Conyers, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, asking that he schedule a hearing to review and consider provisions of Title V of H.R. 3400, which is designed to protect doctors from unnecessary lawsuits, a huge contributor to the soaring costs of health care.

Congressman Forbes introduced the Accelerate Cures for Patients Act, H.R. 3475, which would direct new funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to those research projects that have the most clinical benefit for patients in the near-term. Delaying the onset of diseases such as Diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimers, heart disease, and others would help improve the lives of millions across the country and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs.

Discussed healthcare with constituents during a telephone town hall meeting. Congressman Forbes held a conference call to hear from residents of Virginia’s Fourth District on healthcare reform. Constituents shared their ideas and concerns on issues like maintaining current Medicare benefits for seniors, making insurance available across state lines, and insuring the uninsured, as well as sharing examples of the impact of a government-takeover of healthcare and noting concerns of waste, fraud, and abuse in the healthcare system. Over the past few weeks, Congressman Forbes has spoken with physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and citizens on healthcare. To read Congressman Forbes’ thoughts on the telephone town hall meeting, visit his blog.

Proposed making health insurance more affordable for those without employer coverage.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 3218, the Improving Health Care for All Americans Act, which provides a refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families for medical costs. The bill would improve access to health insurance coverage by allowing individuals to pool together through associations and reducing costs for high-risk individuals by increasing support for high risk insurance pools. The bill also allows those who have insurance through their employer to keep it.

Spoke on the House floor about health care reform.  Congressman Forbes shared with the House of Representatives the concerns he has heard from citizens in the Fourth District, including how the proposed health care plan would impact senior citizens. To watch the floor speech, click here.

Congressman Forbes held conference calls with physicians and hospital administrators from across the Fourth District to hear their thoughts on healthcare reform. Congressman Forbes continued the conference call series this week with nurses and constituents across the Fourth District. To read about the calls, visit Congressman Forbes' blog.

Pledged not to vote for any healthcare reform package without reading the bill first. Congressman Forbes signed a pledge that he will not vote to enact any health care reform package that he has not personally read or that has not been available, in its entirety, to the American people on the Internet for at least 72 hours.

Spoke with representatives from the AARP to discuss their thoughts on healthcare reform.  Congressman Forbes met with constituents from the Fourth District representing the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to discuss their position on healthcare reform. Recently, House leadership introduced a bill that would institute a government take over of America’s healthcare system. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has stated that the bill will not address increasing healthcare costs that threaten to bankrupt Medicare by 2017.

Recognized the need for advanced research for diabetes. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res. 69, which recognizes the need to continue research into the causes, treatment, education, and an eventual cure for diabetes. The bill also commends hospitals, community clinics, educational institutes, and other organizations that work to increase diabetes awareness and conduct research for methods to help patients and families suffering from diabetes. This bill passed by a vote of 420-0.

Interviewed with Fox News to discuss adult stem cell research. Congressman Forbes discussed his bill H.R. 877, the Patients First Act, which prioritizes stem cell research toward those that show the most evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients and are ethically obtained. Scientific advances show that research on human embryonic stem cells may become unnecessary and may pose a more costly route to patient treatment.

Cosponsored H.R. 1718 to provide tax deductions for the costs associated with umbilical cord blood banking. Umbilical cords are a rich, non-controversial source of stem cells, but currently hospitals throw millions of them away each year. According to published studies, cord blood stem cells are proving to be a source of multipotent stem cells, meaning they can give rise to several different cell types. These cord blood stem cells could be used to aid in the treatment of currently untreated fatal and debilitating conditions. 

Cosponsored H.R. 1362, the National MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registries Act, which would establish for the first time national Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease registries at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The information collected through the MS and Parkinson’s disease registry will provide a foundation for evaluating and understanding the diseases problems. 

Called for making senior caregiving accessible and affordable. Congressman Forbes supported H.Con.Res. 59, which studies alternatives to make caregiving for seniors more accessible and affordable, and reviews Federal policies that relate to caregiving for seniors. 

Supported National Men’s Health Week. Congressman Forbes voted for H. Con. Res. 142, which supports the annual National Men’s Health Week.  Despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of almost 6 fewer years than women, and African-American men have the lowest life expectancy. This bill passed the House by a vote of 417-3. 
 

Supported Long-Term Care Hospitals. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2124, which provides regulatory stability within the Long-Term Care Hospital industry.

Provided financial parity for individuals with disabilities. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1205, to establish tax-exempt Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts for individuals with a disability to pay certain expenses such as education, housing, transportation, employment, medical care, and certain life necessities.

Supported health care reform for millions of uninsured Americans. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to President Obama asking him to keep his promise to let Americans who like their health care plans to keep it. The letter also stressed the need for health care reform to help the millions of Americans who have trouble finding affordable health care plans. 

Emphasized the need for awareness of vision impairment and eye disease. Congressman Forbes voted for H.Res.366 to recognize the 40th anniversary of the National Eye Institute. The bill supports the awareness of the public health challenges associated with vision impairment and eye disease. The bill also emphasizes the need for federal support for prevention and early detection, access to treatment and rehabilitation, and research.

Honored the success of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. H. Con. Res. 109 recognized the more than $3.7 million raised from the 2008 race for breast cancer research.  There are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested more than $1.3 billion in research since its inception.  Congressman Forbes supports doubling the annual investment in breast cancer research and other medical research at the Nation’s premier research facility, the National Institute of Health.

Stressed the moral implications of human embryonic stem cell research. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to Dr. Raynard Kington, Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”), asking him to consider the moral implications involved in authorizing human embryonic stem cell research.

Voted for H.Res. 204 to congratulate the American Dental Association for its 150^th year of working to improve the public's oral health and promote dentistry.

Establish a national research program for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1362, to establish permanent national surveillance systems for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological diseases and disorders. More than 10,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with MS annually, and it is thought that more than 400,000 individuals in the United States have MS. In addition, Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, and it is estimated that more than 1,000,000 Americans are currently fighting this disease.

Supported autism awareness. Congressman Forbes cosponsored H. Res. 349, expressing support for designating April 2009 as “National Autism Awareness Month." This resolution commends the parents and relatives of children with autism for their dedication in providing for their special needs. The bill also supports efforts to devote new resources to researching potential causes of autism and treatments for the disorder. Autism affects an estimated 1 in every 150 children in the United States. 

Increase pancreatic cancer research.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 745, the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act, which would establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative to assist in coordinating activities to address the high mortality rate associated with pancreatic cancer.  According to NIH, diagnoses of pancreatic cancer have significantly increased over the past several decades and it now ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.  The American Cancer Society recorded over 33,000 new cases and approximately 32,000 deaths in 2006. 

Supported tax credits for needy families who require hearing aids.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1646, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act,  which would provide a tax credit of up to $500 per hearing aid, once every five years, for parents purchasing a hearing aid for a dependent child or persons over 55, with a $200,000 per year income eligibility cap.  This bill offers assistance to those most in need of these devices but who are unable to afford them, since hearing aids are not covered under many health insurance plans.  

Establish national Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease data registries.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 1362, the National MS and Parkinson’s disease Registries Act, which would establish for the first time national Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease registries at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The registries would help provide more accurate research data, which is critical in gaining a better understanding of these diseases that are estimated to affect more than 1.4 million Americans.  

Supported eye exams for uninsured children. Congressman Forbes voted to support H.R. 577, which would provide eye exams for low-income children without health insurance. The Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 would award grants to states to provide eye exams for children who might not otherwise receive examinations.

Requested funding for the National Cord Blood Inventory. Congressman Forbes sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the National Cord Blood Inventory. Unlike research requiring the destruction of human embryos, adult stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood are non-controversial and are already providing treatments for numerous diseases including leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and type-1 diabetes. The National Cord Blood Inventory allows patients in need of stem cell treatment to search a public bank of donated cord blood units.

Opposed allowing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) power to regulate tobacco products.  The FDA’s current mandate is to ensure that food, drugs, devices and cosmetics are “safe and effective.” H.R. 1256 would allow tobacco products to be given a “FDA approved” seal of approval, which would send the wrong message to our children about the safety of tobacco products.  

Met with physicians and insurance company representatives on coverage of emergency room care. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) recently implemented a $350 co-pay charge for 2009 federal plan participants when they receive emergency services from a non-participating physician. Congressman Forbes is concerned that this charge could discourage individuals from seeking the closest emergency medical care when they have a serious illness or injury. Emergency room physicians from the Fourth District, representatives from BCBS, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform met with Congressman Forbes to discuss the concerns. 120,000 federal employees live in Virginia and approximately 38,630 of these men and women are employed in and around the Fourth District. BCBS has the largest enrollment of any of the Federal Employee Benefit Plans.

Supported H. Res. 178 promoting enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury.  The Brain Injury Association of America has called for designating March as Brain Injury Awareness Month. Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States.  

Cosponsored H.R. 1086, a bill to reform our medical malpractice liability system by reducing frivolous lawsuits. Too often, physicians are forced to practice “defensive medicine” which unfortunately drives up health care costs for everyone. This bill would combat these problems through commonsense reforms. H.R. 1086, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2009, would establish reasonable guidelines—not caps—on punitive damages and would lower health care costs by preventing unfair double recoveries (for example, a plaintiff being awarded future lost wages both by his insurance company and by a court judgment). 

Spoke at the 6th Annual Advanced Initiatives in Medical Simulation (AIMS) Capitol Hill Exhibition about his bill, the Enhancing SIMULATION Act of 2009, H.R. 855. The AIMS exhibition demonstrated the latest medical simulation equipment and technology designed to enhance the training of medical professionals and prevent medical errors, which kill 98,000 people annually. Medical errors are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and cost our healthcare system between $17 and $29 billion each year. Medical simulation provides a safer, yet highly realistic way of learning medical procedures and techniques, allowing for unlimited practice as well as feedback from observers, actor-patients, and peers. Ultimately, medical simulation greatly improves clinical skills, while reducing medical errors and decreasing health care and malpractice costs. As Founder and Co-Chairman of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, Congressman Forbes introduced H.R. 855 to increase the use of medical simulation technology and create nationwide centers for training, education and research. 

Spoke about adult stem cell research at the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) weekly meeting and the Paul Weyrich Luncheon. Both groups invited Congressman Forbes to discuss his bill H.R. 877, the Patients First Act, which prioritizes stem cell research toward those that  that show the most evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients and are ethically obtained. Scientific advances show that research on human embryonic stem cells may become unnecessary and may pose a more costly route to patient treatment. ATR was founded in 1985 by Grover Norquist at the request of President Reagan and advocates for a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter and more visible. Paul Weyrich, who passed away on December 19, 2008 at the age of 66, co-founded the Heritage Foundation and was the Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation, an influential political think tank. 

Appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal to discuss H.R. 877, the Patients First Act, and to answer caller questions regarding stem cell research on live television.  Recent studies are demonstrating the ability of adult stem cells to be reprogrammed to the point where they function exactly like an embryonic stem cells.  These scientific advances show that research on human embryonic stem cells may become unnecessary and may pose a more costly route to patient treatment. Congressman Forbes introduced H.R. 877 to strengthen the benefits of stem cell research by promoting research and clinical trials using human stem cells that show the most evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients and are ethically obtained.  This bill prioritizes stem cell research toward treating and curing patients and presents a unified, pragmatic approach to medical and scientific advancement.  The studies show that science has bypassed the divisive political debate and the time to advance medical treatment and care of patients is now.  

Sent letter expressing support for the Divided We Fail campaign sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Business Roundtable (BRT), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  The Divided We Fail campaign asks our nation's leaders to commit to working together to provide Americans with actions and answers on healthcare and long-term financial security, and affirms that we must work in a bipartisan fashion to see real reform in health care to manage increasing costs and bring coverage to the millions of uninsured Americans.  Congressman Forbes believes we can address these difficulties without sacrificing high quality care, choice, and access. 

Signed a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee and a letter to House Leadership asking them to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide appropriate payments for home oxygen therapy services.  Specifically, the letter refers to a recently released CMS final rule that would cap Medicare reimbursements for home oxygen suppliers at 36 months.  This rule coincides with an across-the-board 9.5% cut in Medicare reimbursements to home oxygen suppliers.  Without adequate recognition of the services that home oxygen providers furnish, the quality of care that patients have come to expect will deteriorate, leading to an increase in the number of emergency room visits.  This letter requests assistance in urging CMS to revise post-36 month oxygen payment policies to address serious shortcomings that are creating hardships for both oxygen patients and providers of these services. 

Opposed the Senate-passed version of H.R. 2, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.  In today’s uncertain economy, Congress has a responsibility to see that uninsured children from low-income families have access to quality healthcare to help keep them healthy.  The reauthorization program contained in H.R. 2 would shift the priority away from uninsured low-income children by making children from families who make up to $63,000 annually in Virginia and adults eligible for the program, and it would fail to set basic citizenship verification standards.  This bill would pull resources away from children in most need of healthcare and shift 2.4 million children who are already receiving private coverage to government-run healthcare.  The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 passed the House by a vote of 290 – 135.  It was signed into law by the President on February 4, 2009. 

Introduced H.R. 877, the Patients First Act, in this 111^th Congress.  The Patients First Act would bridge the political divide over embryonic stem cell research and focus on the common goal shared by both sides of the embryonic stem cell debate – curing and treating patients. The purpose of this bill is to:

• Intensify research that may result in an improved understanding of, and treatment for, diseases and other adverse health conditions;
• Promote research and human clinical trials using stem cells that are ethically obtained and show evidence of providing clinical benefit for human patients; and
• Promote the creation of pluripotent stem cell lines without the creation of human embryos, or the destruction or discarding of, or risk of injury to, human embryos.

Congressman Forbes originally introduced the Patients First Act in the 110th Congress.

Cosponsored H.Res. 1328, recognizing November as “National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.” This year nearly 40,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has the highest mortality rate of all cancers – nearly 75 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year of diagnosis and 95 percent die within 5 years. Currently there are no early detection methods and only minimal treatment options for those who have been diagnosed. For more information on current cancer research efforts, visit www.cancer.gov.  

Voted in favor of H.R. 758, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007. Congressman Forbes is a cosponsor of this bill, which would ensure adequate treatment for breast cancer patients by allowing a patient and her to doctor decide whether she should recuperate in the hospital for 48 hours before returning home. Currently, many insurance companies refuse to cover a hospital stay for mastectomies, despite the known physical and emotional toll the surgery has on women. H.R. 758 is identical to H.R. 119, a bill that the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis introduced at the beginning of 2007 and of which Congressman Forbes was an original cosponsor. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with about 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

Supported H.R. 6908, the Health Insurance Source of Injury Clarification Act of 2008.  This bill would require that limitations and restrictions on coverage under group health plans be disclosed in a timely way to group health plan sponsors and communicated to participants and beneficiaries under such plans in a form that is easily understandable.

Supported H.R. 6469, the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Organ Transplant Authorization Act of 2008, which provides an additional $5 million in Federal funding for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Supported S. 1760, the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2007. This bill reauthorizes the Health Start program and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to focus on factors that contribute to infant mortality, and put the priority on grants for organizations that facilitate a community-based approach to the delivery of services and a comprehensive approach to women's health care to improve outcomes.

Supported H.R. 1532, the Comprehensive Tuberculosis Elimination Act of 2007. This bill would establish research and demonstration projections for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis. It also would require the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis to set forth a national plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States.

Supported H.R. 2994, the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2007. This bill instructs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Institute of Medicine to convene a Conference on Pain. The purpose of the conference would be to increase the recognition of pain as a significant public health problem, evaluate the adequacy of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic pain, identify barriers to appropriate pain care, and establish an agenda for action that will reduce such barriers and improve pain care research, education, and clinical care.

Supported H.R. 5265, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments of 2008. This bill sets up centers of excellence for research on various forms of muscular dystrophy. It also requires the Muscular Dystrophy Interagency Coordinating Committee to give special consideration to enhancing the clinical research infrastructure required to test emerging therapies for the various forms of muscular dystrophy.

Supported H.R. 6901, the Meth Free Families and Communities Act. This bill would provide for the establishment of a drug-free workplace information clearinghouse. It also supports residential methamphetamine treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women, and would improve the prevention and treatment of methamphetamine addiction.

Supported H.R. 2583, Physician Workforce and Graduate Medical Education Enhancement Act of 2007. This bill would establish a loan program for eligible hospitals to establish residency training programs.

Supported H.Res. 1042, Supporting the We Don’t Serve Teens Campaign. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of campaigns working to improve long-term public health and well being, including campaigns that work to prevent underage drinking of alcoholic beverages, such as the We Don't Serve Teens Campaign. It also encourages Americans to utilize resources that provide a wealth of information beneficial to combating and reducing such underage drinking, and commends the leadership and continuing efforts of all groups working to reduce underage drinking.

Supported H.Con.Res. 393, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month. This resolution supports efforts to educate people about sudden cardiac arrest and to raise awareness about the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, identifying warning signs, and the need to seek medical attention in a timely manner. It also acknowledges the critical importance of sudden cardiac arrest awareness to improving national cardiovascular health, and calls upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

Supported H.Res. 1381, expressing the sense of the House that there should be an increased Federal commitment prioritizing prevention and public health for all people in the United States. This resolution recognizes that it is imperative that this nation strengthen its public health system to provide all persons with the resources they need to make healthier choices and live healthier lives and to protect people from health threats beyond their control. It also commits to creating public health strategies to eliminate health disparities and improve the health of all people in the United States.

Supported H.R. 1014, the Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment for Women Act. This bill would improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women by requiring that when new drugs for cardiovascular diseases are submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for approval, the applicant must provide information on safety and effectiveness broken out by sex, race and ethnicity.

Supported H.R. 6983, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This legislation would require health insurance companies that cover physical illness to do so at parity with mental illness. It would require the same co-payments, deductibles, limits on doctor visits, limits on hospitalization, and annual and lifetime limits on coverage. It would break down existing barriers of higher insurance co-payments and deductibles, without requiring insurers to cover specific mental health conditions, and without limiting the growth of physician-owned hospitals.

Supported H.R. 1157, the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act of 2008. This bill would authorize the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to make grants for the development and operation of research centers to study the environmental factors that may be related to the development of breast cancer.

Supported H.R. 6568, Tom Lantos Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2008. This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to encourage research and carry out an educational campaign with respect to pulmonary hypertension.

Supported S. 1382, the ALS Registry Act.  This bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron disorders that can be confused with ALS, misdiagnosed as ALS, or progress to ALS.  The CDC would then be directed to establish a national registry for the collection and storage of this data in order to develop a population-based registry of cases.

Supported S. 1810, The Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act. This bill would provide parents of unborn children diagnosed in the womb with Down syndrome or other conditions more information about how the conditions can be treated and the kind of outcomes the children might face. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 90 percent of children prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted.

Supported S. 2932, the Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008. This bill would reauthorize the poison center national toll-free number, national media campaign, and grant program to provide assistance for poison prevention. It also would continue to provide funding for poison centers in order to enhance the public health of people of the United States.

Supported H.Res. 1333, supporting the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness Month, and encouraging and expressing support for education and research efforts on Tay-Sachs disease.  Tay-Sachs disease is a rare, genetic disorder that causes destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. There is no proven treatment or cure for Tay-Sachs disease, which is always fatal in children.

Supported H.R. 1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2008. This bill authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2012 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations. It also instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to recognize the unique needs of high poverty areas in making grants for projects to plan and develop health centers to serve medically underserved populations.

Supported H.R. 1283, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007. Congressman Forbes is a cosponsor of this legislation, which requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a National Arthritis Action Plan and, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct, support, and promote the coordination of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases research.

Voted in favor of S. 906, the Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007, which would ban the export of mercury starting in 2009.

Voted to Override the President’s Veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.  Congressman Forbes supports this legislation, which would delay the 10% cut in physician reimbursement (scheduled to go into effect June 30, 2008) by 6 months, and instead provide a 1.1% increase in fee schedule levels for 2009.  It also would enact an 18-month delay of the new competitive bidding process for Durable Medical Equipment, which was scheduled to move into Round 2 on July 1 and would have included portions of the Fourth District. This delay will allow Medicare recipients to continue to receive durable medical goods from their current providers, without having to choose from companies selected through the bidding program. In addition, the bill includes extended coverage of preventive health care services and expanded mental health parity coverage.

Supported H.Con.Res. 299, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.  Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases in the United States and one for which there is no known cure.  Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis, more than half of them children.  This resolution encourages early diagnosis and access to high-quality care for people with cystic fibrosis to improve the quality of their lives and supports research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis by fostering an enhanced research program through a strong federal commitment and expanded public-private partnerships. 

Cosponsored H.R. 6453, the Schoolchildren's Health Protection Act of 2008.  This bill would prohibit schools that receive federal funds from distributing the morning-after pill to children.  Under current law, any school-based health clinic receiving federal funds is authorized to distribute the morning-after pill.  In almost every case, federal laws and regulations prohibit informing the parents of sexually active minors about the healthcare they receive.  As a result, school nurses can give out the morning-after pill without the parents ever being involved in the decision or being notified.  These federal regulations overrule all state and local parental notice requirements despite the fact that this medication has been shown to lead to increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. 

Opposed H.Res. 1368, which would turn off the Medicare cost-containment “trigger” for the remainder of the 110^th Congress.  The Medicare "trigger," incorporated into the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, requires the President to submit, and Congress to consider, legislation when the Medicare trustees issue a warning that the program is growing at an unsustainable rate.  Complying with the trigger would mean that Medicare would grow by $179 billion, instead of $181 billion, over the next five years and would send an important message that the U.S. government is firmly committed to containing out-of-control government spending.

Supported H.Res. 1355, Expressing support for designation of Disability Pride Day and recognizing that all people, including those living with disabilities, have the right, responsibility, and ability to be active, contributing members of our society and fully engaged as citizens.

Signed a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services to enact regulations protecting the rights of health care providers who refuse to perform abortions or prescribe certain types of birth control for moral, religious or ethical reasons. This protection has traditionally been included in appropriations bills, but the agency has never set forth official rules establishing conscience protections for health care providers. These proposed regulations would prohibit a health care facility from discriminating against providers who do not wish to perform these procedures or prescribe drugs they believe constitute ending a human life.

Supported H.Con.Res. 296, Expressing support for the designation of August 2008 as "National Heat Stroke Awareness Month," to raise awareness and encourage prevention of heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated, and 50 percent of those with heat stroke die from it, and it disproportionately affects children and youth athletes. To understand the physiological factors that increase the risk for heat-related illness and learn how to take steps to prevent it, click here.

Supported H.Res. 896, the Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month Act.  This resolution recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for primary lateral sclerosis. In addition, it supports the goals and ideals of Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month.  Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle spasticity and weakness in the voluntary muscles.

Opposed H.R. 1108, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  This bill would expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by creating a new regulatory arm to regulate tobacco products. While countless Congressional hearings held in recent years highlighting the fact that the agency is struggling to fulfill even its most basic role, this bill would require manufacturers to register annually with the FDA, be subject to inspections, and pay additional taxes to cover the cost of regulatory activity. The FDA would be authorized to set Tobacco Product Standards, including levels of nicotine and other harmful components, and to prohibit new tobacco products from coming to the market.  The bill also would prohibit the use of flavored tobacco other than menthol. Congressman Forbes opposed this bill since the authority given to the FDA is outside the scope of its authority (tobacco products could never be classified as “safe and effective”).

Voted in favor of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.  This legislation would delay the 10% cut in physician reimbursement (scheduled to go into effect June 30, 2008) by 6 months, and instead provides a 1.1% increase in fee schedule levels for 2009.  It also would enact an 18-month delay of the new competitive bidding process for Durable Medical Equipment, which is scheduled to move into Round 2 on July 1 (Round 2 will include the Richmond metro area, which includes part of the Fourth District).  The bill also includes extended coverage of preventive health care services and expanded mental health parity coverage.  

Supported H.Con.Res. 163, Expressing Congress’s support for further research and activities to increase public awareness and treatment of Dandy-Walker syndrome and hydrocephalus.  Dandy-Walker syndrome is the most common birth defect of the cerebellum and its causes are largely unknown.  Between 10,000 and 40,000 people have Dandy-Walker syndrome in the United States.  This resolution also commends the National Institutes of Health for taking a leading role in researching this disease. 

Supported H.Con.Res. 195, a resolution establishing a National Dysphagia Awareness Month.  Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is the cause of death in nearly 60,000 Americans each year, more than the total number of Americans dying from liver disease, kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS combined--and nearly as many as those dying from diabetes, the number six killer of Americans.  With 1,000,000 new Americans diagnosed each year with dysphagia, this resolution seeks to raise public awareness about dysphagia and the need for early detection and treatment. 

Voted in favor of H.R. 1553, the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007.  This bill establishes special research programs in the area of pediatric cancers through the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. It would also establish grants for the operation of a population-based national childhood cancer database, the Childhood Cancer Research Network, and support recognized childhood cancer professional and advocacy organizations that raise public awareness of currently available information, treatment, and research to ensure access to best available therapies for pediatric cancers.

Voted in favor of H.R. 1343, the Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007.  This bill would provide $14 billion to help support community health centers that meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations throughout the nation. 

Supported H.R. 5669, the Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008.  This bill continues several poison control programs under the Department of Health and Human Services, including poison center national toll-free number, national media campaign, and grant program to provide assistance for poison prevention, sustain the funding of poison centers, and enhance the public health of the people of the United States. 

Voted in favor of H.Con.Res. 138, supporting National Men's Health Week, which seeks to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection of disease among men and boys.  Since 1994, National Men's Health Week has been celebrated each June throughout the U.S. by entities that promote health awareness events focused on men and family. 

Supported H.Con.Res. 331, supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week.  This resolution recognizes the importance of preventing diseases that commonly affect women, highlights the role of federally funded programs that provide research and collect data on common diseases in women, and calls on women to observe National Women's Check-Up Day by receiving preventative screenings.

Supported H.Res. 1134, supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month.  This resolution recognizes that mental well-being is equally as important as physical well-being, and applauds the coordination of national and community organizations to promote public awareness of mental health and provide critical information and support to the people and families affected by mental illness.  This resolution also encourages all organizations and health practitioners to use Mental Health Month as an opportunity to promote mental well-being and awareness, ensure access to appropriate services, and support overall quality of life for those with mental illness.  Mental illness is the most common disability in our Nation, affecting more than 57 million Americans.  Approximately one in five children has a diagnosable mental disorder, and more than 1 in 5 of our troops suffer from major depression or post traumatic stress disorder. In addition, untreated mental illness is estimated to cost businesses and the American economy over $150 billion annually.  

Supported H.Res. 1106, a resolution expressing support for the designation of April 2008 as “National Autism Awareness Month.” It also expresses support for devoting new resources to research into the causes and treatment of autism.  In addition, this resolution supports improving training and support for individuals with autism and their care-takers.

Supported H.Con.Res. 134, a resolution expressing Congress’ support for establishing a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities.  According to the 1999 Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Illness, more than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, although fewer than 8 million seek treatment.  Additionally, according to a report from the Office of Minority and National Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association, African Americans experience a much greater unmet need for mental health services and receive a lesser quality of care, thereby resulting in mental health disparities.  This resolution recognizes the importance of ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, receive access to mental health services and treatment.

Supported H.Res. 1124, a resolution expressing the House of Representatives’ support for establishing a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.  This resolution also applauds the actions of medical professionals and others who strive to raise public awareness of brain tumors and brain cancer.

Supported H.Res. 1022, a resolution affirming the House of Representatives’ support for reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad.  An estimated 536,000 women worldwide die during pregnancy and childbirth every year, which is equivalent to one death every minute. In addition, girls under 15 years old are estimated to be five times more likely to die during childbirth than women in their twenties.  Nearly all these deaths are preventable through proper medical care and treatment. Unfortunately, many developing countries lack an adequate number of medical professionals to care for pregnant women.  This resolution affirms the United States’ commitment to promoting maternal health and child survival both at home and abroad through greater international investment and participation.  It also recognizes maternal health and child survival as fundamental to the well-being of families and societies, and to global development and prosperity.

Supported H.Res. 369, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.  In the United States, 10 million individuals currently have osteoporosis, and nearly 34 million more people are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.  One in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her or his remaining lifetime.  Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later.

Supported H.Res. 1086, Recognizing National Nurses Week.  This resolution recognizes the contributions of nurses to the U.S. health care system, and expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week.  National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and is the time each year when nurses are recognized for the critical role they play in providing safe, high-quality, and preventative health care.

Voted for  H.R. 5613, Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008.  This bill would prevent the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from enacting regulations that would adversely impact funding for Medicaid services and Graduate Medical Education programs.  The bill also would delay the enactment of these regulations through April 2009, which would save Virginia’s medical schools and hospitals millions of dollars. 

Supported H.Res. 981, recognizing March 6, 2008, as the first-ever World Glaucoma Day. World Glaucoma Day was established to increase awareness of glaucoma, which is the second leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States and in the world.

Cosponsored H.Con.Res. 323, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Health Care Decisions Day.   This resolution would encourage all Americans to take the time to discuss their medical wishes with their families, and prepare advance directives through a living will or designation of a medical power of attorney.  These steps allow individuals to maintain control over their health even at the end of their lives, regardless of the circumstances they may face.

Supported H.R. 1198, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2008.  This bill would expand the existing hearing loss program for newborns and infants to provide services for young children not currently eligible for services.  H.R. 1198 also would require that families be given the opportunity to get the full range of early intervention services, educational and program placements, and other options for their child from highly qualified providers.

Supported H.R. 2464, the Wakefield Act, which would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to states or schools of medicine to support projects to expand and improve emergency medical services for children who need treatment for trauma or critical care.  The purpose of the program would be to reduce the occurrence of sickness and death rate of children and youth by helping to improve the quality of all emergency medical care children receive. 

Supported S. 845, the Safety of Seniors Act of 2008.  This legislation would establish a national education campaign to reduce falls among older adults and prevent repeated falls. 

Supported H.R. 2063, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act of 2008.  H.R. 2063 would direct the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to develop a voluntary policy for managing the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools. 

Supported S. 1858, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008, which would provide for education and outreach on newborn screening and coordinated follow-up care once standard newborn screening has been conducted.  About 3,000 infants screened each year are identified with having health conditions that could be harmful in the future, many of which can be treated by a change of diet or increase in vitamins if the condition is caught at an early age. This legislation would establish a grant program to provide newborn screening training for health care professionals and laboratory personnel, and education and outreach to parents of newborns and children at risk for heritable disorders.

Supported S. 793, the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008.  S. 793 would expand the national program for traumatic brain injury registries. It would provide grants to states so they can link people with traumatic brain injuries to services and support through the states’ traumatic brain injury surveillance systems or registries.

Cosponsored H.R. 758, the Breast Cancer Patient Protect Action of 2007.  This bill would ensure adequate treatment for breast cancer patients by allowing a patient and her to doctor decide whether she should recuperate in the hospital for 48 hours before returning home. Currently, many insurance companies refuse to cover a hospital stay for mastectomies, despite the known physical and emotional toll the surgery has on women. H.R. 758 is identical to H.R. 119, a bill that the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis introduced at the beginning of 2007 and of which Congressman Forbes was an original cosponsor. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with about 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

Hosted a briefing for Members of Congress and staff on recent breakthroughs in stem cell research.  Dr. Richard Burt of Northwestern University School of Medicine briefed the audience on the dramatic success he has seen when treating patients with therapies derived from their own adult stem cells.  Patients who had previously suffered from Scleroderma, Multiple Sclerosis, and Lupus gave impassioned testimonials about their health conditions, treatment, and subsequent remission.  Dr. Burt expressed concern that the medical research community has focused more on embryonic stem cells than on adult stem cells even though the vast body of evidence shows that more promise lies with adult stem cell therapies.  Rep. Forbes is the lead cosponsor of H.R. 2807, the Patients First Act, which would prioritize funding for adult stem cell research.  For more information on Dr. Burt’s research read his study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Voted against H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.   Rep. Forbes supports the Senate-passed version of this legislation, which would enact mental health parity.  It would break down existing barriers of higher insurance co-payments and deductibles, without requiring insurers to cover specific mental health conditions, and without limiting the growth of physician-owned hospitals.  H.R. 1424 would require health insurance companies that cover mental illness to do so at parity with physical illness. It would require the same co-payments, deductibles, limits on doctor visits, limits on hospitalization, and annual and lifetime limits on coverage.  However, unlike the Senate’s version of this bill (S. 558), H.R. 1424 would mandate the mental health conditions that must be covered, which could lead some plans that currently offer mental health coverage to drop mental health coverage all together.

Voted in favor of S. 2499, the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007. S.2499 would eliminate the upcoming 10% cut for physician reimbursement under Medicare and would allow for a 0.5% increase in physician reimbursements. S. 2499 would also authorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 2009, a key provision in the Barton-Deal SCHIP extension (H.R. 3584) that Congressman Forbes cosponsored. S. 2499 would maintain the 50% threshold for co-located long-term care hospitals, which is a provision in a bill, H.R. 3057, that Congressman Forbes cosponsored. S. 2499 would also reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program, another program Congressman Forbes supported by cosponsoring H.R. 2762. Furthermore, this legislation would extend the abstinence–only education program and Transitional Medical Assistance program through June 30, 2008.

Sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner asking them to move legislation to correct Medicare reimbursements for physicians. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is scheduled to impose a 10% cut for Medicare reimbursements. Congressman Forbes requested that legislation be adopted to reform the current payment model to avoid the cut and instead provide a 5% increase for reimbursements. This would encourage doctors to continue to accept Medicare as a form of insurance from their patients.

Supported H.Con.Res. 215, which designates National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week. Each year, 325,000 coronary heart disease deaths happen outside of a hospital or emergency room. The use of CPR or an external defibrillator can up to double the chances of survival. This resolution recognizes the first week of June as National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Awareness Week.

Supported S. 597, legislation that would extend the special postage stamp for breast cancer research for four years. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with about 1 in 8 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime. For more information about this stamp, please click here.

Voted in favor of H.R. 710, the Charlie W. Norwood Living Organ Donation Act. H.R. 710 would make paired human organ donation legal and allow organizations like the United Network for Organ Sharing to track eligibility for paired donation. Currently, the practice of matching a transplant candidate and an incompatible living donor with another such incompatible pair is not allowed under the National Organ Transplant Act. The bill's original sponsor, Congressman Charlie Norwood, died of lung disease and cancer in February 2007.

Voted to uphold the President’s veto of H.R. 3043, the Fiscal Year 2008 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation would have appropriated $607 billion for these departments and agencies, and of the total, three quarters was for mandatory entitlement spending programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The conference agreement for H.R. 3043 would appropriate a total of $606.4 billion for programs in the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, which represents an increase of approximately $61 billion (11%) more than the current level and $10 billion (2%) more than the president's request. Furthermore, this legislation contained more than 2,200 earmarks totaling nearly $1 billion, many of which were not added to the bill until the final hour.

Cosponsored H.R. 2762, a bill to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Type I diabetes. This would reauthorize the research for Type I diabetes and reauthorize the diabetes prevention and treatment programs. Almost 21 million Americans are affected with diabetes, with over six million of them unaware and untreated for the disease.

Cosponsored H.R. 3334, the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, a bill to require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to upgrade and unify existing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) clinical trial sites to establish a national clinical trials network for SMA. SMA is a genetic disease that affects the spinal cord and brain stem and leads to muscle atrophy. Approximately one in 6000 babies is born with some form of SMA and SMA kills more babies than any other genetic disease.

Cosponsored H.J.Res. 54 which would overturn a rule from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that limits the availability of erythropiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in some treatments of anemia. CMS issued a recommendation earlier this year that would significantly reduce access to ESA treatments for Medicare patients. Anemia is a common complication for cancer patients, and ESAs are a widely-used treatment to help beneficiaries cope with its effects. Without ESA treatments, patients would be forced to rely on blood transfusions through the course of chemotherapy to combat anemia, which carries risk of transmissible diseases and a hospital visit to receive the transfusion. Congressman Forbes is a member of the Cancer Care Working Group and is committed to ensuring quality care and treatment options to cancer patients, no matter what their coverage.

Voted in favor of H.R. 1567, to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide increased assistance for the prevention, treatment, and control of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is one of the greatest infectious causes of death of adults worldwide, killing 1.6 million people per year--one person every 20 seconds. Twenty-two countries account for 80 percent of the world's burden of tuberculosis, and more than 50 percent of tuberculosis cases in the United States are attributable to foreign-born individuals. Recent research has shown that to invest in tuberculosis control abroad, where treatment and program costs are significantly cheaper than in the United States, can be a cost-effective strategy to reduce tuberculosis-related morbidity and mortality domestically.

Voted in favor of H.Res. 335, which expressed the Sense of the House of Representatives that lung cancer should be a public health priority and interagency programs should be implemented to reduce lung cancer mortality rates by 50% by 2015. Over 210,000 people are estimated to be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 in the United States and over 160,000 people will die of lung cancer in 2007 in the United States.

Voted in favor of H.Res. 760, which supports the goals and ideals of Children’s Health Month. H.Res. 760 recognizes and salutes the health care professionals who provide care and treatment for childhood illnesses and afflictions. H.R 760 also recognizes and salutes the officials who educate parents, schools, and communities about health risks and related issues for children.

Voted in favor of H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, which would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify research and related activities on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The bill would also provide the resources for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such conditions and their families. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 10 percent of new moms experience postpartum depression — a more severe form of depression that can develop within the first six months after giving birth.

Supported H.R. 2295, the ALS Registry Act, which would establish a registry for people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This registry would help in an effort to collect data on the possible causes and progression of the Lou Gehrig's Disease. Approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease every year in the United States.

Supported H.Con.Res. 210, which expresses the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. In the United States, 1000 babies are born every year with sickle cell disease.

Supported H.Res. 470, which expresses the support of the House of Representatives for efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research. Congressman Forbes is a member of the Cancer Care Working Group.

Supported H.R. 507, the Vision Care for Kids Act, which would increase the number of low-income children who are screened and treated for vision problems. The bill would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states to: (1) provide comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children identified by a licensed health care provider or vision screener, with priority to children under age nine; (2) provide treatment or services to correct vision problems of such children; and (3) develop and disseminate educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children.

Supported H.R. 970, the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act, which would prohibit the bulk sale of dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient used in cough syrup that can be abused when taken in large doses. The legislation makes it illegal to distribute unfinished DXM to a person or company not registered with the Food and Drug Administration.

Supported the H.R. 1727, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which would expand and coordinate research on paralysis and aim to improve quality of life for paralyzed individuals.

Supported H.Con.Res.133, supporting the goals and ideals of a Long-Term Care Awareness Week. The first week in November is designated as the opportunity to educate Americans on the importance of health care planning and long-term care. The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that approximately 60 percent of individuals who are over the age of 65 will need some kind of long-term care services and at some point more than 40 percent of such individuals will require nursing home care.

Supported H.Res.448, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Cancer Research Month should be established to increase public awareness of the nearly 200 forms of cancer.

Supported H.Con.Res. 182, a resolution recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week. It is estimated the 200,000 people in the United States are affected by the pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis harms the tissues deep in a person's lungs. The air sacs in the lungs and their supporting structures become inflamed and scarred and if the scarring progresses, it makes the lungs thick and stiff. This results in problems breathing and a person's blood not getting enough oxygen.

Supported H.Res. 524, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a disease that should be better identified and understood in an effort to better treat and care for individuals with the disease. DBA is a rare genetic bone marrow failure disorder that affects children and adults and results in severe anemia due to failure to produce red blood cells. Children with DBA have an increased risk of other diseases, such as leukemia, solid tumors, and complete bone marrow failure, and 50 percent of patients with DBA are born with birth defects.

Cosponsored H.R. 741, the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act, which would create an Advisory Committee within the National Institute of Health to coordinate Lyme disease research. The Committee would focus on better diagnostic tests for better early detection, increasing education and public awareness and develop treatment outcome objectives. Lyme disease can be easily treated if caught early enough. If left untreated, the disease can lead to problems with a person’s nervous system or heart.

Cosponsored H.R. 3584, a bill to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). SCHIP provides states with funds for health insurance coverage for low-income children. H.R. 3584 would extend the current SCHIP program for 18 months to maintain current levels of funding while a reauthorization of the program is agreed on between the House and Senate. This bill does not raise tobacco taxes, rely on cuts to Medicare programs, or substantially expand the program's budget.

Cosponsored H.R. 3057, Medicare Long-Term Care Patient Safety and Improvement Act, which prevents the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from reducing Medicare payments to Long-Term Care Hospitals or reducing the threshold of patients from a co-located hospital.

Cosponsored H.R. 1193, Kidney Care Quality and Education Act, which would create a pilot program designed to increase public awareness about factors leading to chronic kidney disease. This legislation will establish educational programs to highlight kidney disease treatment and prevention. These programs will teach self-management skills to improve quality of life and prevent premature kidney disease. The bill also improves end-state renal disease reimbursement rates under Medicare.

Hosted a bipartisan press conference announcing H.R. 2807, the Patients First Act, which Congressman Forbes introduced. The Patients First Act promotes research using stem cells that are ethically obtained and show evidence of providing near-term clinical benefit for human patients without the creation of human embryos, or the destruction or discarding of human embryos. The bill will intensify research that may result in treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions.

Cosponsored the Help Efficient Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2007, H.R. 2580. Recent surges in medical malpractice lawsuits over the past few years have caused many physicians to close their practice or retire due to skyrocketing malpractice insurance costs. Without committed health care providers, patients cannot get the high quality care that they need to stay healthy. The HEALTH Act of 2007 sets forth provisions regulating medical malpractice lawsuits, specifically for health care liability claims concerning the provision of health care goods or services, or any medical product affecting interstate commerce.

Cosponsored H.R. 2302, the Health Insurance Affordability Act of 2007, which would allow individuals and families who buy healthcare for themselves to deduct from their taxes the premiums of high-deductible health insurance plans associated with Health Savings Accounts. Currently, individuals' contributions to Health Savings Accounts are tax deductible, but the premiums paid for the high-deductible insurance associated with the accounts usually are not.

Signed a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) asking that they provide coverage for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), a treatment that plays an important role in helping cancer patients cope with the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. Congressman Forbes is a member of the Cancer Care Working Group.

Joined the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Caucus. The purpose of the caucus is to serve as a forum to discuss critical health care, disability, research, and other issues affecting people living with MS as well as to raise awareness of the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the United States.

Joined the Congressional Vision Caucus (CVC). The CVC is a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress dedicated to strengthening and stimulating a national dialogue and policy on vision-related problems and disabilities.

Supported H.Res 208, a resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary of the founding of Operation Smile. Operation Smile is an organization of volunteer medical professionals committed to traveling around the world to treat children suffering from facial deformities.

Signed a letter to the House Budget Committee, asking them to protect access to hospital care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Nearly 2/3 of America's hospitals lost money treating Medicare patients in 2005. This letter asks the Budget Committee to oppose any budget cuts to community hospitals in the 2008 federal budget, or any cuts in hospital spending in Medicare or Medicaid, so that hospitals can continue to provide high quality care to all who come through their doors.

Voted in favor of H.R. 1467, the 10,000 Trained by 2010 Act, which would require the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants for basic research on innovative approaches to improve health care information systems, as well as for scientific and engineering activities to improve education in the health care information fields.

Cosponsored H.R. 1926, the Colon Cancer Screen for Life Act of 2007. Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in America. Early detection through colonoscopy screening is the most effective method to prevent and treat this disease. This legislation would increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for a colonoscopy and authorize coverage for a pre-procedure appointment.

Cosponsored H.R. 241, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2007. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans who have no health insurance increased to about 46.5 million last year. H.R. 241 would provide for the establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), or small business health plans. AHPs would allow small businesses to band together through associations and purchase quality health care for workers and their families at a lower cost.

Served as Honorary Co-Host of the 4th Annual Advanced Initiatives in Medical Simulation (AIMS) Conference & Exhibition on Capitol Hill. The exhibition included hands-on demonstrations of medical simulation, a critical health care technology that reduces real-life medical errors through virtual training. The exhibition highlighted the importance of issues related to patient safety, medical errors, and health care costs for policymakers in Washington. To listen to Congressman Forbes' remarks, click here.

Joined with House colleagues in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals, asking them to develop more appropriate admission criteria for LTAC hospitals so that they can continue to provide specialized care to all patients who walk through their doors. LTAC hospitals serve a vital role in the Medicare program by providing care to beneficiaries with complex conditions, who are too sick to go home, but are stable enough to be released from an intensive care unit.

Joined House colleagues in a letter supporting diabetes research, treatment and prevention programs, to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner. The letter specifically asks the House leadership for significant funding for minority communities for type 1 diabetes research and type 2 diabetes treatment and prevention programs. According to the Center for Disease Control, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in 2000. According to the National Institute of Health, roughly 20 million people, or seven percent of the population, have diabetes, and many individuals lack access to proper treatment of diabetes.

Cosponsored H.Res. 257, a resolution supporting Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. This legislation raises public awareness for citizens across the country about pancreatic cancer, the need for funding, early detection methods, effective treatments and prevention programs. Over 37,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. If passed, this resolution would designate November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Cosponsored the Minority Diabetes Initiative Act, H.R. 1031, legislation which would create community grants for diabetes prevention and treatment programs in minority communities to physicians, community-based organizations and other health care providers. Diabetes, the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, leads to complications such as heart disease, blindness and kidney disease, and many individuals lack access to proper health care to treat diabetes. This legislation would help these individuals lead healthy and productive lives through the creation of essential community programs.

Joined the Rural Health Care Coalition (RHCC). The RHCC is a group of bi-partisan Members of Congress who are committed to advancing rural priorities in health care policy. The RHCC has been successful in establishing the Office of Rural Health Policy within the Department of Health and Human Services, creating the Rural Health Transition Grant Program, and forming the Critical Access Hospital program.

Joined the House Diabetes Caucus, a bipartisan group of Congress committed to improving the life of the 17 million Americans with diabetes. The Caucus is also dedicated to supporting important research funding into diabetes and diabetes-related complications.

Joined the Alzheimer's Task Force, whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's through pursuit of increased funding for research and improved support to Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

Cosponsored H.R. 1647, legislation to expand Medicaid coverage to include essential foot care services performed by podiatrists. Foot disease is a common complication of diabetes, and thousands have diabetes-related leg, foot, or toe amputations each year. Comprehensive foot and ankle care would improve quality of life by increasing mobility and preventing amputations.