H.R. 2678: Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act

Summary of the Bill

The bill, titled the Ellie Helton, Lisa Colagrossi, Kristen Shafer Englert, Teresa Anne Lawrence, and Jennifer Sedney Focused Research Act, aims to enhance research efforts at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) specifically concerning unruptured intracranial aneurysms. The bill acknowledges the significant impact that brain aneurysms have on many individuals and their families, noting that approximately 6.8 million people in the United States, or 1 in 50, are living with unruptured brain aneurysms.

Key Findings

The bill outlines several findings about brain aneurysms:

• Each year, around 30,000 Americans experience a brain aneurysm rupture, which has a 50% mortality rate. Those survivors often face permanent neurological deficits.
• Women are more likely than men to develop brain aneurysms, and certain racial and ethnic groups have a higher likelihood of both developing and rupturing aneurysms.
• The financial burden of brain aneurysm ruptures is substantial, with an estimated $2 billion in direct costs annually to patients, as well as indirect costs such as travel and lost wages.
• Only a minimal amount of federal funding is currently allocated toward research for brain aneurysms, amounting to about $2.94 per afflicted individual each year.

Funding Provisions

The bill proposes the following funding measures:

• Authorize $20 million per year for five years (2026-2030) specifically for research on unruptured intracranial aneurysms, which would continue to be available until 2033.
• Ensure that new funding will add to, rather than replace, existing funding for brain aneurysm research.

Research Goals

The funding will support comprehensive studies across a diverse patient population, considering differences in age, sex, and race. This is intended to improve understanding and treatment approaches for unruptured aneurysms.

Impact of the Bill

Overall, the bill seeks to address the urgent need for more research on unruptured intracranial aneurysms, raising awareness about their prevalence and the sometimes devastating outcomes for those affected. By securing increased funding and focusing research efforts, the bill aims to spur advancements that could lead to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options for brain aneurysms, ultimately improving health outcomes for many individuals.

Relevant Companies

• None found