Volume 158, No. 147 covering the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 6190 ``THE ASTHMA INHALERS RELIEF ACT OF 2012''” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1780 on Nov. 16, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 6190 ``THE ASTHMA INHALERS RELIEF ACT OF 2012''
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HON. LAURA RICHARDSON
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, November 16, 2012
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6190, the Asthma Inhalers Relief Act, introduced by Congressman Burgess. This legislation would authorize the distribution and sale of one million asthma inhalers that use over-the-counter epinephrine, named Primatene Mist. This product was sold in aerosol canisters containing CFC's, or chlorofluorlicarbons. CFC products have been banned under the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Consequently, this legislation is opposed by many organizations because it involves the widespread use of a CFC product.
Mr. Speaker, I stand with Ranking Member Waxman as well as with the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other national public health organizations in opposition to this bill. I strongly believe in ensuring affordable, quality health care options for all Americans who suffer from asthma; however, I am opposed to legislation that would undermine our commitment to international treaty and that would continue to deplete the ozone. There are safer and more effective ways of safeguarding public health. One way to do this is for Congress to take up and pass H.R. 6284, the Breath of Fresh Air Act, which I introduced earlier this year.
Across the United States, nearly 25 million people have been diagnosed with asthma, including 7 million children. This serious disease impacts every district in every state, and its effects are far-
reaching. I have been particularly concerned with the issue of asthma, especially as it affects my home district in California. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angles operate within and near the 37th Congressional District, and if left unregulated, the California Air Resources Board estimates that the ports will be the largest source of pollution in the state by 2020 greater than the impact of every car on the road in California. The neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Long Beach rank as one of the U.S. cities most polluted by Particle Pollution.
Low-income and minority communities are disproportionately affected by this chronic respiratory disease, and their health outcomes are likely to be worse. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that black children are twice as likely to be hospitalized and four times as likely to die from asthma as white children. Low-income and minority communities also disproportionately live in areas afflicted with high levels of air pollution, allergens, and other environmental factors that trigger asthma attacks. They may also have limited resources to direct toward asthma management or to deal with the financial challenges of medical bills and missed days at school and work.
Authorizing the sale of epinephrine will not address the challenges that asthma patients face. National health organizations have repeatedly issued expert guidelines that advise patients on how to manage their asthma, and none of them recommend the use of over-the-
counter medications. In addition, Primatene Mist has been banned since December 31, 2011. This means that patients have already transitioned away from this medicine and have been using alternative medications for almost a full year. A temporary reversal of this ban would be confusing to patients and would not provide them with a sound long-term plan for asthma management. In fact, the only group that stands to profit from such a reversal is the manufacturing company, not asthma patients.
I do agree with Congressman Burgess when he says that Congress must be on the side of asthma patients, and I am working hard to make sure that Americans have access to quality and timely care. That is why in August, I introduced H.R. 6284, the Breath of Fresh Air Act, which has been endorsed by the Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics. This legislation would establish a grant program to make funds available to elementary and secondary schools to purchase nebulizers. A nebulizer is an extremely easy-to-use medical device that delivers medicine in the form of a mist directly to the person's lungs. Oftentimes it is the best remedy for young children who may not cooperate in their time of distress. By making these devices available at local schools and treating symptoms as soon as they present themselves, we can take significant steps toward reducing the number of asthma-related emergency room visits each year.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical that Americans who suffer from asthma have access to lifesaving medications and health care. I am glad to see Congress recognize the challenges that Americans with asthma face, and it is my hope that we can continue making this a legislative priority. I urge my colleagues to vote no on H.R. 6190 and instead support the Breath of Fresh Air Act and other legislation that directly improves the lives of asthma patients without sacrificing environmental standards.
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