ACTION REQUESTED: Ask Your U.S. Representative to Support Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
March 26, 2009 5:41AM CT
September is currently designated as Atrial Fibrillation Month in Chase’s Calendar of Events, the international event register.
On March 17, a resolution was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives that would officially designate September in the U.S. as “National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.”
StopAfib.org is proud to announce our involvement in, and support of, this important resolution. StopAfib.org founder and CEO, Mellanie True Hills, has made numerous visits to Capitol Hill to gain support for the introduction and passage of this bill.
The resolution was introduced by Rep. C.A. Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX). The photo shows Mellanie with Rep. Granger when the bill was introduced on March 17.
The purpose of the resolution (H. Res. 255) is to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation and to draw attention about why it constitutes a serious public health problem that warrants greater public education and research.
Now we need your help. Please take a moment to call or email your representative and ask he/she to cosponsor H. Res. 255 designating September as National Atrial Fibrillation Month.
To reach your representative by phone, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or 1-800-828-0498 and ask to be connected to your representative’s office.
If you need help identifying your representative, simply go to http://www.house.gov and enter your zip code in the top left corner of the page. From here you can link to your representative’s website where you can send an email if that is your preferred method of communication.
A resolution needs at least 100 co-sponsors before it is brought to the House floor for a vote. A vote on this resolution and its eventual passage requires your grassroots involvement!
Please take a moment today to let your representative know why his/her co-sponsorship of H. Res. 255 is important to you.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using this link: Contact Us
A Sample Message You Can Deliver by Phone:
I am calling to ask Representative _______ to cosponsor H. Res. 255, designating September as National Atrial Fibrillation Month. This resolution would help raise awareness of atrial fibrillation and why it is a serious problem for individuals, families, companies, and our economy.
Atrial fibrillation has touched me in the following way…
[Summarize your story here in 1-3 sentences. ]
I hope that Representative ______ will co-sponsor H. Res. 255 designating September as National Atrial Fibrillation Month.
Resolution:
The resolution is reprinted below, and it, along with a list of current cosponsors, can also be found here
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 255
Expressing support for designation of the month of September as `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ and supporting efforts to educate the public about atrial fibrillation.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 17, 2009
Mr. RUPPERSBERGER (for himself and Ms. GRANGER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of the month of September as `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ and supporting efforts to educate the public about atrial fibrillation.
Whereas atrial fibrillation is a cardiac condition in which electrical pulses disrupt the regular beating of the atria in the heart, hampering the atria’s ability to fill the ventricles with blood, thus allowing blood to pool in the atria and form clots;
Whereas atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac malfunction and affects at least 2,200,000 people in the United States, with increased prevalence anticipated as the United States population ages;
Whereas atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased long-term risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality, especially among women;
Whereas atrial fibrillation accounts for approximately one-third of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances;
Whereas according to the American Heart Association, 3 to 5 percent of people in the United States age 65 and older are estimated to have atrial fibrillation;
Whereas atrial fibrillation is recognized as a major contributor of strokes, with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of strokes occurring in people with the condition;
Whereas it is estimated that atrial fibrillation costs $3,600 per patient annually for a total cost burden in the United States of $15,700,000,000;
Whereas obesity is an important risk factor of atrial fibrillation;
Whereas better patient and health care provider education is needed for the timely recognition of atrial fibrillation symptoms;
Whereas more research into effective treatments for atrial fibrillation is needed; and
Whereas September is an appropriate month to observe `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives–
- supports the designation of a `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’;
- supports `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ and efforts to educate people about atrial fibrillation;
- recognizes the need for additional research into treatment for atrial fibrillation; and
- encourages the people of the United States and interested groups to observe and support `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ through appropriate programs and activities to promote public awareness of atrial fibrillation and potential treatments for it.