IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 147 
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding people in the United States 
with bleeding disorders. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 11, 2009 
Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York (for herself, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. KIL-
PATRICK of Michigan, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. BALDWIN, 
and Ms. BORDALLO) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding people in the 
United States with bleeding disorders. 
Whereas the lives of millions of people in the United States 
are impacted by both congenital and inherited bleeding 
disorders as patients, asymptomatic carriers, and care-
givers; 
Whereas studies estimate that as many as 1 in 50 people in 
the United States suffer from von Willebrand’s disease, 
making it the most common inherited bleeding disorder 
in the United States; 
Whereas von Willebrand’s disease is characterized by fre-
quent nosebleeds, recurrent bleeding from the mouth and 
gums often resulting in periodontal disease, swollen and 
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•HCON 147 IH 
painful joints, gastrointestinal bleeding, excessive bruis-
ing, postoperative bleeding, prolonged bleeding following 
minor injury, and menorrhagia (excessive menstrual 
bleeding); 
Whereas studies estimate that 13 to 20 percent of women in 
the United States diagnosed with menorrhagia suffer 
from von Willebrand’s disease; 
Whereas an accurate diagnosis of von Willebrand’s disease is 
sometimes difficult to obtain given current standard lab-
oratory testing techniques, and, as a result, the majority 
of people in the United States who suffer from von 
Willebrand’s disease remain undiagnosed; 
Whereas failure to correctly diagnose von Willebrand’s dis-
ease in women may lead to unnecessary hysterectomies 
resulting in increased risk from bleeding at the time of 
surgery; 
Whereas effective medical treatments are available for von 
Willebrand’s disease when it is diagnosed properly; 
Whereas the onset of von Willebrand’s disease symptoms usu-
ally occurs during adolescence and the symptoms can re-
main undiagnosed for several years; 
Whereas programs designed to increase screening for von 
Willebrand’s disease in adolescents could greatly improve 
diagnosis; 
Whereas the Current Population Study estimates that 67 
percent of high school graduates enroll in institutions of 
higher education; 
Whereas prior to entering institutions of higher education, 
students have to receive a physical examination and meet 
immunization requirements; and 
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•HCON 147 IH 
Whereas 
including 
a 
verbal 
screening 
tool 
for 
von 
Willebrand’s disease as part of the medical requirement 
for entrance into institutions of higher education would 
increase early diagnosis, improve treatment, and lead to 
better health outcomes: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Federal Government has a responsibility 
to— 
(A) further the research that is needed to 
identify a more accurate laboratory test for von 
Willebrand’s disease; 
(B) increase funding for biomedical and 
psychosocial research on von Willebrand’s dis-
ease, rare blood disorders, and hemophilia; 
(C) continue to improve access to treat-
ment centers for all individuals with bleeding 
disorders; 
(D) improve public education and aware-
ness of bleeding disorders; and 
(E) support screening for von Willebrand’s 
Disease as an aspect of the health requirements 
of all institutions of higher education; 
(2) the Director of the National Institutes of 
Health should take a leadership role in the fight 
against bleeding disorders by acting through appro-
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priate offices within the National Institutes of 
Health to provide Congress with a 5-year research 
plan for people with bleeding disorders; 
(3) the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention should continue the critical 
role of the Centers in improving outreach about, 
treatment for, and prevention of the complications of 
people with bleeding disorders by facilitating an edu-
cational relationship between treatment centers, uni-
versity health clinics, and undergraduate student 
populations; 
(4) referral of a person with a bleeding disorder 
to a federally sponsored hemophilia treatment center 
is critical to comprehensive treatment of people with 
bleeding disorders; 
(5) physicians should screen all women pre-
senting 
with 
menorrhagia, 
especially 
severe 
menorrhagia, for von Willebrand’s disease; 
(6) patient advocate organizations and medical 
specialty societies should continue to collaborate on 
public education campaigns to educate people about 
bleeding disorders; and 
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(7) physicians should screen all adolescents at-
tending institutions of higher education for von 
Willebrand’s disease. 
Æ 
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