Expressing support for the goals and ideals of "National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month".

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 20 Expressing support for the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 6, 2021 Mr. DOGGETT (for himself and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey) submitted the fol- lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’. Whereas hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of cere- brospinal fluid in the brain, is a life-threatening condition that affects approximately 1,000,000 Americans of all ages; Whereas, each year, one in 770 babies develops hydro- cephalus; Whereas hospitalization charges for pediatric hydrocephalus cases alone cost the United States health care system $2,000,000,000 per year; Whereas adults living with hydrocephalus add exponentially to health care system costs, as well as costs related to re- duced productivity in the workplace; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR20.IH HR20 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 20 IH Whereas the incidence of undiagnosed and untreated hydro- cephalus in older Americans can result in unnecessary confinement to assisted living facilities and nursing homes; Whereas up to two-thirds (24,000 potential cases) of our cur- rent and former military servicemembers suffering from moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are at risk of developing hydrocephalus; Whereas many individuals with hydrocephalus live with other serious medical comorbidities, particularly seniors who have Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, putting them at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID–19; Whereas there is no cure for this condition, and the only treatment is costly brain surgery which frequently must be repeated to replace the shunt, a medical device that is the most common treatment for the condition and has one of the highest failure rates of all medical devices; Whereas various research studies are currently being con- ducted in the United States in order to better under- stand, prevent, and treat hydrocephalus; Whereas organizations, such as the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation and the Hydrocephalus Association, serve as global leaders for hydrocephalus awareness, education, support, advocacy, and research funding; Whereas the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation established ‘‘National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’ in 2009; and Whereas the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation and the Hydrocephalus Association recognize September as ‘‘Na- tional Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR20.IH HR20 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 20 IH Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 2 Hydrocephalus Awareness Month’’; and 3 (2) continues to support research to prevent, 4 detect, and treat hydrocephalus. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:17 Jan 07, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR20.IH HR20 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS