REP LIEU PROVISION SUPPORTING LYMPHEDEMA RESEARCH INCLUDED IN FY2020 APPROPRIATIONS
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) announced that three provisions he proposed on Lymphedema research and resources were included in H.R. 2740, the appropriations bill that passed the House today. The provisions encourage the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health to expand resources and research to the study and treatment of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating and currently-incurable swelling that can be a result of cancer treatment, trauma, or damage to the lymphatic system, including up to 10 million Americans.
Upon passage, Rep. Lieu said:
"I'm thrilled the House included my language in support of Lymphedema research. There are millions of Americans, including my constituents, living with Lymphedema who are suffering from this life-altering disease. Including these provisions underscores the U.S.'s commitment to finding a cure or better treatments for this challenging disease."
More on the provisions:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Lymphedema.—The Committee commends the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control for working to expand access to resources on lymphedema. The Committee notes that lymphedema is the most common side effect of many cancer treatments and urges the Division to work with stakeholders to advance information and resources for healthcare professionals and the public on this often debilitating condition.
National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:
Lymphedema and Lymphatic Diseases.—The Committee commends NHLBI's efforts to expand research on lymphedema and lymphatic diseases and encourages continued implementation of the research recommendations of the 2015 Trans-NIH Lymphatics Symposium and coordination across relevant Institutes and Centers.
National Institutes of Health/Office of the Director
National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases.—The Committee applauds the Office of the Director, NHLBI, NIDDK, and NIAID for facilitating the 2015 Trans-NIH Lymphatics Symposium. The Committee notes the scientific potential that lymphatics research has to treat a wide variety of severe diseases, including heart disease, AIDS, diabetes, rdheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, and cancer. The Committee recommends continuing and extending the efforts of the trans-NIH Coordinating Committee for Lymphatic Research, with participation from other relevant institutes, to explore scientific directions that might expand and advance research in this field.
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