Uterine Fibroid Research Education Act

[Guest guest]

Dear fellow fibroid sufferers and interested clinicians and

researchers,

I'm providing 4 pieces of information of critical importance within

this email. Please read it all and then take appropriate positive

actions to contact your Members of Congress within your own district.

Please feel free to also forward this email to other appropriately

interested parties or other online messaging boards or email list

groups.

1. PRNewswire release on the announcement of a bill that was

introduced today regarding uterine fibroids.

2. Direct contact information for Congresswoman Tubbs

3. The content of the bill that was introduced.

4. Avenues for contacting your own representative.

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Congresswoman Tubbs Introduces Uterine Fibroid Legislation

WASHINGTON, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Congresswoman Tubbs

introduced legislation today in conjunction with Minority Health

Month entitled the Uterine Fibroid Research Education Act of 2001,

targeting better access to information about alternatives in

treatment to uterine fibroids. Commonly a hysterectomy is the

treatment for fibroids, which are benign tumors in the uterus,

affecting a woman's reproductive health. The bill has 32 original

cosponsors.

Read the rest here:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104 & STORY=/www/story

/05-02-2001/0001483771 & EDATE=

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Ohio Representative Tubbs ' webpage:

http://www.house.gov/tubbsjones/

Contact info:

1516 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Email: stephanie.tubbs.jones@...

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In the House of Representatives

Mrs. of Ohio introduced the following bill.

To provide for an increase in funding for research on uterine

fibroids through the National Institutes of Health, and to provide

for a program to provide information and education to the public on

such fibroids.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the " Uterine Fibroids Research and Education

Act of 2001 "

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds as follows:

(1) The development of uterine fibroids is a common and significant

health problem, affecting women of all ages, racial backgrounds, and

socioeconomic levels.

(2) It has been estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of women of

reproductive age have such fibroids, though not all have been

diagnosed. Studies indicate the prevalence could be much higher.

(3) Uterine fibroids are the most common indication for hysterectomy,

accounting for approximately one third of hysterectomies, or 200,000

procedures annually.

(4) Such fibroids are the leading indication of hysterectomy among

premenopausal women in the United States.

SEC. 3. PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS REGARDING UTERINE FIBROIDS

(a) RESEARCH THROUGH NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. In addition to

other authorizations of appropriations that are available for the

purpose of conducting and supporting research on uterine fibroids

through the National Institutes of Health, there is authorized to be

appropriated for such purpose $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal

years 2002 through 2006.

( PUBLIC AWARENESS.

(1) IN GENERAL. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this

subsection referred to as the " Secretary " ) shall carry out a program

to provide information and education to the public regarding uterine

fibroids, including information on the incidence and prevalence of

such fibroids, and on the elevated risk for minority women.

(2) AUTHORITY FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS. The Secretary may carry out

paragraph (1) directly or through awards of grants, cooperative

agreements, or contracts to public or nonprofit private entities.

(3) DEFINITION. For purposes of this subsection, the term " minority " ,

with respect to women, means women who are members of racial or

ethnic minority groups within the meaning of section 1707 of the

Public Health Service Act.

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. For the purpose of carrying out

this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as

may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2002 through 2006. Such

authorizations are in addition to any other authorizations of

appropriations that are available for such purpose.

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http://cw2k.capweb.net/patientadvocacy/

This link will take you directly to a page that allows you to search

for your own Members of Congress and their appropriate contact

information. Please spend some time burning up your keyboard with

email in support of this bill!

Personally, you KNOW I would support just about any effort related to

educational campaigns targeted at public awareness of uterine

fibroids, treatment options, and alternatives to hysterectomy. This

is truly a major health problem for women in the United States that

has been allowed to continue for far too long. Here's an opportunity

to stand up and be heard on this issue. Write that email or pick up

the phone tomorrow to express support of this bill to your own

Congressperson. Don't think -- just DO IT!

'NUFF said.

Sincerely,

Carla Dionne

Executive Director

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation

1 (877) 553-NUFF

mailto:carla@...

http://www.NUFF.org

/list/uterinefibroids

http://www.uterinefibroids.com

" Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can

change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has. " Margaret

Mead