Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Cosponsors: 5 Democrats, 1 Independent

Introduced: May 22, 2003

Related bills: H.R. 2277

Purpose: The bill would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks posed by asbestos-containing products.

Relevance: The legislation would, among other things, direct the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in collaboration with the Administrator of ATSDR, to “expand intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research on diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, particularly mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural injuries.” It also would direct the Director of CDC, in cooperation with the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Administrator of ATSDR, to “establish a mechanism by which to obtain data from State cancer registries and other cancer registries, which shall form the basis for establishing a Mesothelioma Registry.”

Bill Status: Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)

Cosponsors: 3 Democrats

Introduced: May 23, 2003

Related bills: H.R. 2258

Purpose: The bill would provide for programs and activities to improve the health of Hispanic individuals.

Relevance: The legislation would provide for programs and activities to improve the health of Hispanic individuals. A provision of the bill would require ATSDR, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish minority health offices.

Bill Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.