*May 18, 2022 Update: The full House Energy and Commerce Committee on May 18 passed the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act and FDA’s Medical Device User Fee Act. The bills now move to the full House. Stay tuned for further action on these important bills.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health on May 11 passed the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2021 (H.R. 3771), marking an important step in moving this priority legislation forward. The ACC has long endorsed and supported the Act sponsored by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC), which would provide research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population in the U.S. at a very crucial time. The College now urges full Committee action on this timely bill.

In a statement submitted for the record, ACC President Edward T.A. Fry, MD, FACC, highlighted the significant risk of heart attack and death faced by the South Asian community compared with the general population and called on the Committee to advance the crucial legislation.

“This thoughtful legislation rationally addresses this alarming trend by expanding grants for culturally appropriate outreach efforts and research,” said Fry. “Reducing the burden of diabetes, risk of heart disease, decreased quality of life, and untimely death within South Asian communities is a task of great importance. We urge [the full Energy and Commerce Committee] to advance this crucial legislation and stand ready to partner with you to solve this public health crisis.”

The bill was among six being considered by the Committee. FDA’s Medical Device User Fee Act legislation, which ACC Chief Medical Officer Richard J. Kovacs, MD, MACC, recently testified before the Committee about in April, was also on the docket. The draft approved by the Committee included many of the central themes of Kovacs’ testimony, including a need to emphasize a patient-centric system, the importance of real-world evidence in decision-making, and the necessity to have robust and diverse clinical trials.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Diseases, Myocardial Infarction, Patient-Centered Care, Public Health, Quality of Life, ACC Advocacy

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