{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-introduces-legislation-to-advance-medical-research-for-pulmonary-hypertension-2016", "Casey Introduces Legislation to Advance Medical Research for Pulmonary Hypertension", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation that would work to improve health outcomes for pulmonary hypertension (PH) by advancing medical research and improving care for PH patients.\u00a0 S. 3361, the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Diagnosis Act of 2016, would ensure that the federal investment in research is directly leading to prolonged life and improved quality of life for PH patients, while working to lower health care expenses for patients with PH, such as by reducing the rate of disability and the need for organ transplantation. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is an original cosponsor.\r\n\u201cPulmonary Hypertension is a truly devastating disease that affects individuals of all race and age,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cWhile we have made meaningful advancements for PH treatment, we still have a long way to go.\u00a0 This legislation is an important step in providing hope for the future for all people suffering from PH.\r\nCasey first introduced legislation addressing PH after hearing the story of Colleen Connor, a West Chester mother of two who suffers from PH:\u00a0 \u201cI was 38 years old when I was diagnosed.\u00a0 My husband and I had a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old. The PH diagnosis slammed the breaks on our lives and dreams,\u201d said Connor.\u00a0 \u201cPH patients are considered 'long term survivors' after living with the disease eight years. Had I been diagnosed sooner, there is a chance more immediate therapy could have delayed the disease and helped me lead a more normal life - with a job, and without supplemental oxygen and being dependent on an invasive IV therapy.\u00a0 I have no ill-will or loss of respect for the doctors who could not diagnose my PH.\u00a0 They are all highly intelligent and well regarded in my community.\u00a0 They were not armed to detect PH.\u00a0 I've learned that my story of delayed diagnosis is not the exception but rather the norm for PH patients.\u201d\r\nThe Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Diagnosis Act establishes an Interagency Pulmonary Hypertension Coordinating Committee for a period of five years.\u00a0 This Committee, which will consist of representatives from federal agencies, the patient community, the caregiver community and the advocacy community, will be responsible for coordinating activities relating to PH.\u00a0 The bill also requires a series of reports to Congress on pulmonary hypertension and the progress being made to address the impact of this disease.\r\nPH is a debilitating and often fatal progressive condition where the blood pressure in the lungs rises to dangerously high levels.\u00a0 In PH patients, blood flow between the heart and lungs is blocked or constricted.\u00a0 As a result, the heart must pump harder, causing it to enlarge and ultimately fail.\u00a0 PH can be idiopathic, occurring without a known cause, or be secondary to other conditions, such as scleroderma, lupus, blood clots, and sickle cell disease.\u00a0 PH impacts individuals of all races and ages.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-introduces-legislation-to-advance-medical-research-for-pulmonary-hypertension-2016"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7821838371455669, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}