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Senators Stabenow and Murkowski Reintroduce HEART for Women Act

Federal bill aims to reduce cardiovascular disease death rates in women

(Washington, March 2, 2011)—U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today reintroduced legislation to ensure that heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are more widely recognized and effectively treated in women.

The Heart disease Education, Research and Analysis, and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act would make sure that healthcare data reported to the federal government is classified by gender, race and ethnicity. It would also require the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress on the quality of and access to care for women with CVD. Additionally, the measure would expand eligibility for funding to all 50 states for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WISEWOMAN screening program for low-income, underinsured uninsured women. Currently the program is available in only 20 states. "Unfortunately, a majority of women and even some physicians are unfamiliar with the symptoms, diagnoses, and dangers of heart disease in women," said Senator Stabenow.

"Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials and there is a serious lapse in enforcement of rules requiring new drug applicants to submit data by sex, age group and race," said Lisa M. Tate, Chief Executive Office of WomenHeart. "As a result, female heart patients are treated with drugs, procedures and devices that have been shown to be effective in men, yet not studied in a sufficient number of women. The HEART for Women Act will ensure that results of cardiovascular trials are reported by sex and that women get the best possible care for their heart health," Tate continued.

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