Reps. Burgess And Berkley Unveil Bipartisan Legislation To Promote Healthy Bones, Osteo Prevention
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October 21, 2009
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Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada) today unveiled The Bone Health Promotion and Research Act, H.R. 3856. The legislation, introduced on October 20th to mark World Osteoporosis Day, establishes a comprehensive national bone health strategy focused on education, prevention and research.
“Osteoporosis and related bone diseases pose a public health issue of enormous proportions, affecting millions of Americans and costing billions of dollars,” said Burgess. “As a physician, I diagnosed and treated many patients during my 25-years of practicing medicine in Texas, and I saw firsthand the way osteoporosis affects patients and their families. The more we can do to promote and encourage education, awareness, research, and prevention, the better.”
“I had no idea I was at risk of developing osteoporosis until being diagnosed more than a decade ago. But after only 10 months of treatment, I was able to stop my bone density loss. My personal experience with osteoporosis taught me the importance of ensuring that Americans of all ages are aware of how to keep their bones strong and healthy. Prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment of osteoporosis can all help reduce fracture rates and generate savings for our healthcare system,” said Berkley. “We know that older Americans who suffer a broken hip or other bone fracture are at greater risk of serious complications. So we can protect quality of life -- and prevent deaths -- by making sure seniors know to get screened and to seek treatment if they are diagnosed. Osteoporosis and other related diseases already cost our healthcare system $19 billion per year, so we can also reduce costs by preventing more fractures through the steps outlined in our bill.”
Osteoporosis and low bone density affect more than 44 million Americans over the age of 50. Many Americans, especially seniors, are not being screened or are unaware of the steps they can take to prevent development of this disease.
The Bone Health Promotion and Research Act provides for a comprehensive national bone health strategy focused on education, prevention and research. The bill would provide for greater comprehensive osteoporosis and related bone disease control and prevention programs along with national educational outreach activities.
A National Bone Health Program created under the Act will augment education and outreach initiatives through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and provide state grants for comprehensive osteoporosis and related bone disease surveillance, control, and prevention programs and activities. The Berkley-Burgess bill also expands research activities of the National Institutes of Health on osteoporosis and related bone diseases.
The legislation is strongly supported by the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases – a coalition that includes the leading national bone disease organizations representing thousands of patients, research scientists, physicians and surgeons.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees: Health, Energy & Environment, and Oversight & Investigations. He is also a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee. Prior to becoming a member of Congress in 2002, Congressman Burgess practiced medicine in North Texas for over 25 years.
