WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. House adjourned its last session before Democrats take the majority in January 2007.  In the last round of bills passed early this morning, a number of provisions authored by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, were passed as part of larger health care measures or on their own.  Provisions included preservation of the important State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-Chip), the Ryan White Care Act, Johanna’s Law for gynecologic cancer awareness and diagnosis, and important whistleblower provisions for workers at the National Institutes of Health.

Below are statements that can be attributed to Rep. Markey on these programs that affect the people of Massachusetts and much of the country.  

On the preservation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program:

“It is good news that in the waning hours of Congress, we are preserving the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-Chip).  Shoring up S-Chip averts the disastrous funding shortfalls that could have left thousands of low income children in Massachusetts and 16 other states without healthcare. The passage of this much-needed bill occurred in the dead of night, with Republicans being dragged kicking and screaming.  In the new Congress we will put the health and well-being of low-income children ahead of the special interests.”

On the passage of the Ryan White Care Act:

“The Ryan White Care Act is the critical safety net program that provides millions of Americans with HIV and AIDS access to lifesaving drugs and services. Senator Kennedy has done a tremendous job by working out a three year compromise bill that protects those most vulnerable Americans.  This reauthorization will keep the Massachusetts health system intact and ensure people with HIV and AIDS can continue to get the critical care and treatment they need to survive.”

On the acceptance of Johanna’s Law:

“Johanna’s law honors the memory of Johanna Silver Gordon and the thousands of woman who have lost their lives to gynecologic cancer because they were not diagnosed until it was too late. This year, more than 80,000 women will be diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, and more than 28,000 women will die from these diseases. This bill is a first step in raising awareness about these diseases and promoting early diagnosis. However, we must also continue to pursue the research necessary to find a diagnostic test, better treatments and ultimately a cure for this horrible disease so that succeeding generations will have to turn to the history books to learn that there was ever a disease called ovarian cancer.”

On the added protections for NIH whistleblowers:

Rep. Markey, a long-time champion of whistleblower rights, ensured that provisions were included that require NIH to report to Congress regarding the types of whistleblower complaints at NIH and the resolution thereof.