President Joe Biden on Nov. 21 signed into law the bipartisan Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024, co-authored by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA).
“I’m proud to sponsor this bipartisan bill, which is now law, to help get [congenital heart disease] patients the help they deserve and will continue to promote policies that lead to better health care outcomes for all Americans,” Rep. Carter said.
While medical advancements have helped patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) improve their quality and length of life, nearly 40,000 babies are born with this condition each year, according to information provided by Rep. Carter’s staff that says CHD is the most common birth defect and remains the number one cause of birth defect-related deaths in America.
And as CHD patient life expectancy has increased, there are now more adults than children living with CHD in the United States, with roughly 2 million adults living with this condition, the information says.
Rep. Carter on Feb. 1 cosponsored the now-enacted H.R. 7189 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and fellow original cosponsors who included U.S. Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN) led the same-named S. 3757 in the Senate.
“During my career as a pharmacist, I’ve seen nothing short of miracles as a result of research and development,” said Rep. Carter. “For the 2 million patients suffering with Congenital Heart Disease in America, relief — in the form of a cure or treatment — can’t come soon enough.”
Specifically, the measure reauthorizes funding for research and awareness efforts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the causes, prevention, and development of better treatments for patients suffering with CHD, and extends the National Congenital Heart Disease Research, Surveillance, and Awareness Program through fiscal year 2029.
“This new law brings us one step closer to enhancing better treatment options and improving outcomes for all patients suffering with this condition,” said Rep. Bilirakis.
The Adult Congenital Heart Association, the Children’s Hospital Association, Conquering CHD, Mending Little Hearts, and the Children’s Heart Foundation supported the legislation.