The Burton Blog

Burton encourages greater focus on prostate-specific imaging research

In a post by Michael D. Scott, 12 U.S. Representatives signed a letter sent to the National Institutes of Health and the director of the National Cancer Institute urging for more attention to prostate cancer.  Congressman Burton was one of the commendable Members to sign it.

Dear Directors Kington and Niederhuber:

Now that President Barack Obama has signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, your agencies will receive an additional $8.2 billion in funding for critical biomedical research. We urge you to devote some of these funds to research to improve prostate-specific imaging technology for improved early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This research holds enormous promise to drastically reduce human and societal costs of prostate cancer, yet has received minimal support in prior years.

Prostate cancer is the most common major cancer in this country and the second most lethal cancer in men.  While it can be cured when diagnosed early, close to 30,000 American men will die from prostate cancer in 2009. Many of us in Congress and millions throughout the country have been personally affected by prostate cancer or had a loved one suffer from it. While this disease has a higher incidence rate than breast cancer, there has not been a similar level of funding. And, in fact, funding for prostate cancer research has decreased over the last six years. Accurate diagnostic technologies comparable to life-saving mammograms still remain unavailable for men, yet the promise of prostate imaging technology is real and immediate. In January, leading experts from around the world stated in a joint letter that they “firmly believe that more accurate imaging technology would lead to better patient care, including guidance for diagnosis, biopsy and minimally-invasive therapy. Real and important improvement in prostate cancer care are at hand if we are resolved to increase national investment in prostate diagnostics.”

The leadership of NIH in the advancement of breast imaging technologies resulted in the transformation of diagnosis and minimally-invasive treatment of breast cancer. Your agency should now lead the way in creating accurate and affordable prostate imaging tools for men for prostate cancer detection and minimally-invasive treatment. With such technologies, men and their families would face less physical, emotional, and financial trauma. Moreover, improved diagnostics could eliminate unnecessary biopsies and treatment and it is estimated it could result in savings of $5 billion for national health care each year — an enormous return-on-investment for the research commitment we seek today.

Last June, the House unanimously approved House Resolution 353 calling for “increased support for research and development of advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment.” Now, we have given you new resources to accomplish this worthy goal. The medical research community is more than “shovel ready” to put these resources to work. We hope that you will increase significantly the amount of funding for prostate imaging research aimed at early detection and improved treatment of the second most lethal cancer in men.

Sincerely,

Elijah E. Cummings, Henry A. Waxman, Dan Burton, Donna M. Christensen, Danny K. Davis, Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Keith Ellison, Michael E. Capuano, Dennis Moore, Jim Marshall, Tim Holden, Robert Wexler

Burton to Delphi: Don't cut off Health Benefits

Dan's office has been on top of a major concern in Kokomo and the surrounding area regarding Delphi retiree benefits.  Delphi has, as part of bankruptcy court proceedings, asked permission to cut off health benefits for retirees.  In the 5th district and surrounding areas, the number of affected retirees could be nearly 5,000.

From the Kokomo Tribune:

The letter from Donnelly and Burton indicates there are 5,000 retirees in the area. If the U.S. Bankruptcy Court rules in Delphi’s favor, and the retirees decide to continue the coverage at a minimum monthly cost of $1,366, it could mean the potential loss of up to $6.8 million in disposable income on a monthly basis in the region.

“We are deeply concerned that the decision to discontinue health and life insurance benefits will have a devastating impact on thousands of Delphi’s salaried employees and retirees, as well as their families,” the letter states. “The discontinuance of these benefits will remove a critical safety net at a time when nearly all working families are struggling to meet the challenges posed by the slow economy.”

The employees and retirees have dedicated their lives to Delphi, the letter continues, and have helped to build this company into a global leader in mobile electronics and transportation systems.

“While we recognize that all parties must make sacrifices, we strongly urge you to reevaluate this decision and do everything in your power to restore Delphi to a healthy fiscal position while protecting the promise of retirement health care for your salaried and retired employees,” the letter stated.

I'll be praying here that these retirees don't see such an unexpected drop in income- particularly in a time when health benefits are extrememly important.

Dan Burton on Health Care

Dan filled out a questionnaire recently outlining his positions on a number of health care issues.  Check out his answers at www.YourCandidatesYourHealth.org

House passes Burton Prostate Cancer Resolution

From The Earth Times:

The House of Representatives today approved historic legislation calling for increased support from the public and private sectors for the development of innovative advanced imaging technologies for early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer - the most common major cancer in the United States and the second-most-lethal cancer in men.

House Resolution 353, introduced by Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Dan Burton (R-Ind.), has broad bipartisan support, with more than 100 cosponsors.  Reflecting the disproportionate impact of prostate cancer on the African-American community, including a 60 percent higher incidence rate and more than 2.5 times higher mortality rate, more than 30 members of the Congressional Black Caucus cosponsored the Resolution. Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-N.J.) and 19 other members of the Energy and Commerce Committee also cosponsored the Resolution.

"Prostate cancer is a threat to every man. Thanks to the steadfast leadership of Rep. Cummings and strong support from Rep. Burton, Congress has taken an important first step in acknowledging the need for improved early diagnosis of prostate cancer as a national priority that is as important as breast cancer imaging.  As with mammography, prostate imaging is expected to save lives, improve quality of life in millions of men and eliminate prostate cancer as a patient care crisis. Ultimately, accurate and affordable imaging technologies will reduce health care costs by at least $5 billion annually and end prostate cancer as a socio-economic problem," said AdMeTech Foundation President and CEO Faina Shtern, M.D.

Dan Burton introduces Savannah's Law

Indiana Legislative Insight covered some legislation Dan introduced in last week's issue:

U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (R) introduces H.R. 5494, known as "Savannah's Law," to revise the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to ensure that an individual cannot file bankruptcy in cases where permanent disability results from personal injury. The bankruptcy code does not currently offer exceptions for cases of permanent disability. Rep. Burton introduced this legislation responding to the concerns of constituent Sheri Reece and her daughter, Savannah Reece. In 2003, Sheri was in an automobile accident while pregnant with Savannah. Sheri suffered multiple injuries, but unborn Savannah suffered severe brain damage. Savannah, now four years old, requires around the clock care. Sheri was offered a settlement by the insurance company which she contends was insufficient to provide Savannah the care she requires, and which would bar any further legal action. If the Reece family declines the settlement and moves forward with a lawsuit, the federal bankruptcy court can discharge any judgment she might get from the state civil courts, and Savannah would again be denied the necessary care.