National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

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Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

On behalf of the Republican side of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I rise in support of H. Res. 407, to support the designation of May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. About 50 million Americans suffer from allergies and around 20 million suffer from asthma. Of those 20 million asthma sufferers, over half have both allergies and asthma.

While it's rare, allergies and asthma attacks can be deadly. But even a more mild attack can keep a child home from school or a parent out of work. While allergies and asthma are often chronic conditions, they can be managed with medication. Inhalers, for instance, allow people with asthma to participate in sports, and a wide range of medications are available to those who suffer from allergies. In fact, my nephew Raymond played baseball all through his youth having to carry his inhaler.

Many of us rely on common, everyday over-the-counter medications to deal with allergies. Unfortunately, the health care bill will increase the cost of drugs to Americans because they will no longer get the benefit of untaxed dollars through their FSAs to purchase over-the-counter drugs for conditions like allergies. The actual cost to Americans for these medications will therefore increase, forcing them to go to prescription drug levels, and increasing the costs to health care. Additionally, the majority's health care bill will increase the costs or create a direct tax on inhalers and breathing devices.

Now, some might try to say that the savings really wasn't that great, and the benefit of this massive trillion-dollar government scheme will far outweigh the costs. But the fact is that Americans who suffer from chronic allergies and asthma have to purchase medications on a regular basis. Over time, savings from an FSA can add up. And it's kind of like how massive deficits year after year lead to a $13 trillion deficit. There may be some benefit to someone at some point in time from the President's health care bill, but in the meantime all the American people are getting is higher costs.

I support this resolution and urge Members to vote for it. However, I am opposed to some of the policies implemented by this Congress that would increase the cost of treatment for those with allergies and asthma.

Mr. Speaker, I understand the gentlelady is prepared to close, so at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger).

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