PH Bill Gains New Co-Sponsors

Jeannette Morrill speaks at the PHA Congressional Luncheon
in November 2011

Since the beginning of the year, the following U.S. representatives have become co-sponsors of the Tom Lantos Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act: Elijah Cummings (MD-7); Steven LaTourette (OH- 14); Todd Platts (PA-19); David Price (NC-4); Tim Ryan (OH-17) and Louise Slaughter (NY-28).

Five more representatives have expressed interest in cosponsoring and are waiting for their names to be added to the bill: Jason Altmire (PA-4); Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL-2); Gregory Meeks (NY-6); Michael Michaud (ME-2) and Chris Murphy (CT-5).

Each new Member who adds his or her name to the PH bill represents a PH patient, caregiver or medical professional who contacted that Member and shared a story. Six Members signed on after receiving visits during PHA’s Congressional Luncheon in November, but some signed on after a simple phone call or email from a constituent.

“I met a patient from Vermont who had never connected with another patient. She had been isolated from the time of her diagnosis, about two years ago. These situations clearly show why the Tom Lantos bill is so important to the pulmonary hypertension community,” said PH patient Jeanette Morrill during a presentation to Members of Congress and their staff. Jeanette’s representative, Michael Michaud, had co-sponsored PH legislation on multiple occasions thanks to Jeanette’s efforts to keep him connected to the PH community.

The Tom Lantos PH Research and Education Act is the only bill in Congress that is solely focused on improving the lives of PH patients. To learn more about keeping your Member of Congress aware of the PH community, contact Elisabeth Williams at 301-565-3004 x753 or ElisabethW@PHAssociation.org.