Washington, DC – Last week, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) helped to secure the approval of the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024. This law was one of 19 bills passed during the second week of March by members of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee that sought to promote health initiatives and improve patient outcomes. This legislation, which received bipartisan support, looks to advance the research of treatments for those with congenital heart disease (CHD). This work would be carried out by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the hopes of discovering and developing preventative measures for this ailment.
“As a co-founder of the Congenital Heart Caucus, I’ve become familiar with the struggles patients with congenital heart disease and their families face,” Congressman Bilirakis said. “Our legislation will bring us one step closer to enhancing better treatment options and improving outcomes for all patients suffering with this condition. We’ve seen that this program yields positive results, and I urge my colleagues to join us as we work to help future generations live longer healthier lives.”
While incredible strides have been made in medical research regarding CHD by improving length and quality of life, roughly 40,000 people are born with this particular form of heart disease every year. It ranks as the most common birth defect and is still the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths in the United States. With CHD patients’ life expectancy increasing, this naturally results in more adults (roughly two million) who are currently living with these conditions. The lack of specialized routine care can prove costly monetarily or health-wise for those suffering from CHD.
According to a March 13 press release from the congressman’s office, the National Congenital Heart Disease Research, Surveillance, and Awareness Program is “desperately needed” for understanding the impacts of CHD in the long-term and lifelong care for them. The act championed by Bilirakis will help this research by extending the program’s duration through fiscal year 2029. The Florida congressman thanked fellow lawmakers Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) for their efforts in supporting the heart disease initiative.
This was not the only bill forwarded by Bilirakis, though. The committee approved the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act of 2024, which the congressman co-sponsored. Alzheimer’s and other such dementias “affect nearly every family,” the release stated. Though more work needs to be done to address the widespread health issue, the BOLD Act appears to be a significant step in the right direction as it will reauthorize programs that will engage in research, early screening, and education of patients suffering from different forms of dementia.
“Without a cure, the impact of Alzheimer’s will continue to rise,” Congressman Bilirakis said at the hearing that is now viewable on his YouTube Channel. “The number in Florida and across the country will escalate as a result of the aging population. This disease does not discriminate and I am sure we all have someone or know someone whose family has been affected by Alzheimer’s.”
The issue of Alzheimer’s is becoming increasingly serious as the number of people afflicted by the disease is expected to rise by 24 percent, according to the Florida representative. It is also a personal battle he wishes to win as his mother suffers from the affliction. Congressman Bilirakis is proud to see both public health priorities advancing through the legislative process in the hopes of curtailing the devastation of CHD and Alzheimer’s.
