Diseases and Medical Research
I am a strong supporter of medical research. Chronic diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease affect 1 out of every 2 adults and kill nearly 2 million Americans every year. Funding through the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Defense provides the possibility of medical breakthroughs in the detection, treatment and ultimately cures for diseases that are creating so many hardships for individuals and families – and that cost our nation enormously in high medical costs and lost productivity.
I have joined with my colleagues to urge that we provide at least $32 billion in funding for NIH in FY2013, which will give us the opportunity to continue research into diseases from Alzheimers and AIDS to vision care and women's health.
More on Diseases and Medical Research
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the projected debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, four days later than previously estimated. In the meantime, Kevin McCarthy and the Republicans in Congress are still pushing for cruel budget cuts that will harm millions of Americans. One of my GOP colleagues even said that Republicans "don't feel like negotiating with their hostage." The lives of Americans are not a game. The GOP must stop holding the most vulnerable among us hostage. Democrats in Congress will continue to fight back against these awful proposals.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, released the following statement condemning the decision in Braidwood Management v. Becerra blocking a requirement that health insurance plans cover a range of preventive health services without a copay:
On Thursday, my treasured friend, Nancy Pelosi, announced that she will be leaving House leadership, but will remain in Congress representing her beloved city of San Francisco. This week marks 16 years since I was able to second her nomination as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. In my nominating speech back in 2006, I promised that she was going to be a leader for every day, hardworking Americans. Today, I can proudly say that she went above and beyond the duties of her office.
WASHINGTON- Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) celebrated today's passage of their landmark legislation, H.R. 3630, the Lymphedema Treatment Act, which will ensure Medicare Part B coverage of doctor-prescribed compression garments, the clinically recognized treatment for lymphedema. The bill, which was reintroduced in June 2021, is also co-led by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mike Kelly (R-PA).
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement celebrating the US Food and Drug Administration's decision to approve a new treatment for ALS:
"Today is a beautiful day! I know that my dear friend, Arty, would have loved to see this day. I know it will bring hope to all Americans suffering from ALS.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), and Ken Calvert (R-CA) sent a letter today to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inquiring about steps the agency is taking to approve groundbreaking new therapies for ALS and other deadly diseases and urging the agency to take a rapid approach to approving new life-saving treatments.
The members wrote: