Two Matsui Public Health Bills Are Passed Out of House Subcommittee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 16, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Today, two of Congresswoman Doris Matsui's (D-CA) public health bills the Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act (H.R. 1230) and the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act (H.R. 6081) passed the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.

I am pleased that the Health Subcommittee has passed these two important pieces of legislation, said Congresswoman Matsui. Every year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with painful and often fatal acquired bone marrow failure diseases. My bill provides for the Federal research and community outreach we need to adequately address these diseases and work towards a cure.

Congresswoman Matsui's Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act would expand research and public education on acquired bone marrow failure diseases, including aplastic anema, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). H.R. 1230 strengthens and expands the federal government's commitment to researching and treating acquired bone marrow failure diseases, which occur when the body's bone marrow stops working properly.

Congresswoman Matsui is also the original cosponsor of H.R. 6081, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act. H.R. 6081 would reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which includes the National Registry for adult donors of bone marrow, peripheral blood adult stem cells, and umbilical cord blood units; the Office of Patient Advocacy; and the Stem Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database. It would also reauthorize the National Cord Blood Inventory, a program that provides grants to public cord blood banks to assist them in collecting donated cord blood units that are then listed on the National Registry. Together, these programs are the most complete resource for adult stem cells used in life-saving transplants for individuals with conditions including bone marrow failure diseases, leukemia, immune diseases or other genetic disorders.

I am hopeful that when the full Energy and Commerce Committee meets next week, we will be able to pass these life-saving bills in a timely manner, Rep. Matsui added.