ACTION REQUESTED: Ask Your U.S. Senators to Support Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
July 22, 2009 5:21 AM CT
September is currently designated as Atrial Fibrillation Month in Chase’s Calendar of Events, the international event register.
On July 22, a resolution was introduced into the U.S. Senate that would officially designate September in the U.S. as “National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.”
Senators Russell Feingold (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND), introduced Senate Resolution 220. The resolution is the companion resolution to H. Res. 255, which was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year.
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 calls and visits to Capitol Hill to gain support for the introduction and passage of these resolutions.
The purpose of these two resolutions is to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation and to draw attention as to why afib constitutes a serious public health problem that warrants greater public education and research.
Here is where to find the Senate resolution and a list of the current cosponsors. The text of the resolution is below.
We now need your help to make the passage of these resolutions a reality. Please take a moment to call or email your Senators and ask them to cosponsor S. Res. 220, and to contact your Representative and ask he/she to cosponsor H. Res. 255. See the sample message below.
To reach your Senators or Representative by phone, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or 1-800-828-0498 and ask to be connected to their offices. If you need help identifying your Senators, simply go to http://www.senate.gov and select your state from the drop-down box in the top left corner of the page. From here you can link to your Senators’ websites and send emails if that is your preferred method of communication.
Here is where to find out more about the House resolution and how to contact your Representative.
A vote on these resolutions, and their eventual passage, requires your grassroots involvement! Please take a moment today to contact your Senators and Representative to let them know why their cosponsorship of these resolutions is so important to you.
A MESSAGE TO DELIVER BY PHONE:
I am calling to ask Senator _______ to cosponsor S. Res. 220, 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 Senator ______ will co-sponsor S. Res. 220 designating September as National Atrial Fibrillation Month.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using this link: Contact Us
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 220
Supporting the designation of September as ‘National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ and encouraging efforts to educate the public about atrial fibrillation.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 22, 2009
Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. DORGAN, and Mr. CRAPO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
RESOLUTION
Supporting the designation of September as `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ and encouraging 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 ability of the atria to fill the ventricles with blood, and subsequently causing 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 population of the United States ages;
Whereas atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased, long-term risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality from all causes, especially among women;
Whereas atrial fibrillation accounts for approximately 1/3 of hospitalizations for cardiac rhythm disturbances;
Whereas, according to the American Heart Association, 3 to 5 percent of people in the United States aged 65 and older are estimated to have atrial fibrillation;
Whereas atrial fibrillation is recognized as a major contributor to strokes, with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of strokes occurring in people afflicted with atrial fibrillation;
Whereas it is estimated that treating atrial fibrillation costs approximately $3,600 per patient annually for a total cost burden in the United States of approximately $15,700,000,000;
Whereas obesity is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation;
Whereas better education for patients and health care providers is needed in order to ensure 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 as National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it
(1) supports the designation of a `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’;
(2) supports `National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month’ and efforts to educate people about atrial fibrillation;
(3) recognizes the need for additional research into treatment for atrial fibrillation; and
(4) 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.
Resolved, That the House of Representatives–