Health & Wellness

Healthcare

Senator Clinton Lauds UCP Support for New Bill to Compile Data on CP and Other Disabilities

At a March 21 press conference, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) stated her appreciation to UCP for supporting her new bill, the Nationwide Health Tracking Act, S. 2054. This bill would provide $127.5 million annually to compile cross-country incidence and prevalence data on cerebral palsy, other developmental disabilities, birth defects, and health problems due to environmental toxins. Such data is essential to detect outbreaks of disability and disease, as well as to determine the effect of prevention programs. At present, data collection for disabilities and non-infectious diseases is very limited.

Also speaking at the press conference were bill supporters Sen. Harry Reid (D- NV) and Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY), sponsors of a similar bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 4061. Both Reid and Pelosi are the second-highest ranking Democrats in their respective chambers. According to a poll cited at the press conference, 88% of Americans support a project of this type. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) also is a sponsor of the bill, and its concept is reportedly supported by Sens. Frist (R-TN) and Jeffords (I-VT). No date has been set for Senate or House action on this topic.

In a related development, on March 7, Sen. Clinton chaired a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) subcommittee hearing at which she asked about tracking by the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Sen. Clinton also is expected soon to introduce a respite care bill, which UCP has endorsed in draft form.

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