Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act (S.2248/H.R.3952)

Congenital Heart Disease Legislation

In November, 2015, the Congenital Heart Futures Act Reauthorization Bill was introduced in the Senate (S.2248) and House (H.R.3952) by legislative champions:

• Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
• Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
• Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
• Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA)

 

 

Current Cosponsors (Updated 3/8/16)

Senate Cosponsors

House Cosponsors

Are your legislators on the list?

If not email them, today!!!

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Here’s more information about the CHFRA:

Original Congenital Heart Futures Act

First passed into law in 2010, the bipartisan Congenital Heart Futures Act was groundbreaking legislation authorizing research and data collection specific to Congenital Heart Disease.  This law called for expanded infrastructure to track the epidemiology of CHD at the CDC and increased lifelong CHD research at the NIH.

Since the enactment of the Congenital Heart Futures Act, Congress has appropriated $11 million to the CDC for these activities. The Congenital Heart Futures Act also urged the NHLBI to continue its use of its multi-centered congenital heart research network, the Pediatric Heart Network (PHN) that help guide the care of children and adults with CHD. Together, these efforts have improved our understanding of CHD across the lifespan, the age-specific prevalence, and factors associated with dropping out of appropriate specialty care.

We are excited that the reauthorization of this important law will allow the CDC and NIH to build upon existing programs and focus on successful activities addressing this public health need.

Key Aspect of the new Reauthorization Bill

The CHFRA continues these important activities and builds on them by:

• Assessing the current research needs and projects related to CHD across the lifespan at the NIH.The bill directs the NIH to assess its current research into CHD so that we can have a better understanding of the state of biomedical research as it relates to CHD
• Expanding research into CHD. The bill directs the CDC to plan, develop and implement a cohort study that would improve understanding of CHD across the lifespan. This will help us understand healthcare utilization, demographics, lead to evidence-based practices and guidelines for CHD.
• Raising awareness of CHD through the lifespan. The bill allows for CDC to establish and implement awareness, outreach and education campaign directed at CHD across the lifespan. Those who have a CHD and their families need to understand their healthcare needs promote the need for pediatric, adolescent and adult individuals with CHD to seek and maintain lifelong, specialized care.

This comprehensive approach to CHD – the most prevalent birth defect – will address a necessary public health issue and lead to better quality of life and care for those with CHD.

Here is the complete text as introduced in the House on 11/5/15.

If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact our Director of Programs, Amy Basken, at abasken@conqueringchd.org.

If you are interested in becoming an advocate for this important issue, visit the advocacy section of our website which contains information about signing-up, as well as tools to help you be an amazing advocate.

Also, consider bringing your voice to Washington D.C. as we advocate for this legislation in February!

Together, we will CONQUER CHD!