In Georgia
In an effort to combat the suffering caused by diseases like Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's, cancer, macular degeneration and diabetes through stem cell
research, Sen. David Adelman has introduced a bill that would facilitate
biomedical research in Georgia.
Almost everyone has had to endure the experience of watching helplessly as
our loved ones battled a degenerative disease. The "Search for the Cure Act"
would promote research into cures for these diseases and has the potential
to make Georgia a leader in biomedical research.
Under the bill, a tissue bank would be created at a state university, where
donated placental tissue, umbilical cord blood and unused embryos from
fertility treatment facilities would be stored. Doctors would have to
provide written consent, and medical researchers in Georgia would apply to
use tissue and blood from the bank for research in regenerative medicine and
life sciences, including stem cell research.
The bill also strictly prohibits human reproductive cloning and imposes
strict criminal sanctions for those who break the law. It also prohibits
institutions that conduct research from retaliating against employees whose
religious beliefs conflict with such research.
The Search for the Cure Act has been introduced as Senate Bill 537 and is
worthy of a full legislative hearing for its lifesaving potential.
Nationally
On Valentine’s Day, Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski
(R-AK) will introduce the HEART for Women Act to improve the education,
diagnosis, research and treatment of women in regards to heart disease.
During the Policy and Action Conference, Senator Stabenow (D-MI) addressed
conference attendees during the Capitol Hill lunch and spoke about this new
bill. BPW/USA supports the HEART for Women Act because health is a component
in our national legislative platform which states that we “will encourage
the development of a national health care policy recognizing the special
health care needs of women”. BPW/USA will be issuing a press release today
to announce our support.
The HEART for Women Act would “amend the Public Health Service Act to
improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, stroke
and other cardiovascular diseases in women.” Specifically this legislation
would require data reporting and analysis to be stratified to include
gender, race and ethnicity. The bill also includes appropriations to extend
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current WISEWOMAN program
to all 50 states and territories.
Next week once a bill number has been assigned, BPW/USA will create an
advocacy campaign on the Advocacy Center for the HEART for Women Act so that
you can contact your Members of Congress.
Contact Rita Bauer if you WANT to take action but aren't sure how. She will
step you through the process in several ways!
Rita M. Bauer
NFBPW Legislative Chair
(678) 627-9900
Fax (678) 627-0033
Cell (404) 394-6204