Take life by the horns and hang on!!

NEW PH RESEARCH ACT INTRODUCED!

Get Your Representative On Board Today!

Here's the news we've been waiting for...The PH Research and Education Act of 2007 (H.R. 3368) has been introduced in the House of Representatives!

In 2005-2006, our PH bill in Congress was a success. 247 Representatives co-sponsored it. It led to the commitment of more than $24 million to innovative PH research through the creation of two new PH research centers! Now, we have another opportunity to make a difference.

The PH Research and Education Act of 2007 calls for the establishment of programs that:

increase the effectiveness of clinical researchers in the PH field
prepare more physicians for prompt and effective management of PH
raise public awareness about PH symptoms
research Medicare and Medicaid coverage of PH therapies

Our congressional champions, Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) worked hard to get the new bill introduced before the August break. In return, we've promised that hundreds of members of the PH community will contact their Representatives this month.

Please e-mail your Representative today!

If you are able, also consider making a local, face-to-face visit at your Senators' and Representative's offices. You can schedule this visit during August, or on most Fridays or Mondays throughout the year. Information on scheduling a visit

More info on the 2007 PH Research and Education Act

Help Prevent Genetic Discrimination

The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) just passed in the House of Representatives with an overwhelming 420-3 vote. The PH community has worked with other health organizations to support this bill in the past and now you can help it pass the Senate.

Genetic screening, counseling, and testing are important options for the PH community, especially for those with a history of pulmonary hypertension in their families. GINA sets strict standards for the use and disclosure of genetic information and imposes penalties against companies that violate these provisions.

Now, GINA is working its way through the Senate. Urge your Senators to co-sponsor GINA, or thank them for their support

You Did It! Advocacy Successes for PH Research

NHLBI Funds Millions of Dollars for PH Research Through Research Centers
Because of all your work garnering support for the PH Research Act, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) took notice of our cause and agreed to fund two Specialized Centers for Clinically Oriented Research (SCCORs) at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the University of Colorado in Denver. These centers are similar to the “Centers of Excellence” called for in the PH Research Act. Each center will pursue multiple PH research projects, and the funding they receive from NHLBI over the next five years will total millions of dollars.

2007 Budget is 2 Victories in 1
Everything the PH community has done to develop relationships with Members of Congress is leading us to one tremendous victory after another! The 2007 funding resolution has passed Congress and been signed by the President, bringing increased money for research from both the NIH and the Department of Defense. Congratulations!

1. “Budget With A Heart” Brings a Valentine’s Day Success!
Thank you to the 277 PH patients and supporters who contacted their Members of Congress in the “Budget With A Heart” Campaign. On Valentine’s Day, your work paid off! Congress passed a funding resolution that provides Health and Human Service, Education and Labor programs with $2.3 billion more in funding than they received last year -- that’s $7 billion more than the President’s original budget proposal! The next day, the President signed the budget resolution, making it official. From the new funding, the National Institutes of Health will receive $620 million more than last year -- enough to support an additional 500 research grants.

2. PH Research Gains Further Support!
Pulmonary Hypertension is one of only twenty-two diseases and conditions eligible for funding this year by the Department of Defense (DOD) Peer Review Medical Research Program. Much of the list is made up of well known or relatively common conditions such as diabetes and childhood asthma. PH, on the other hand, is a little-known condition making a big impact. Its inclusion is a direct result of the PH community’s awareness-raising at the Congressional level and a significant victory on the road to a cure!

Get Involved in PH Advocacy

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