Date: 2003-11-19
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman from Florida and the gentleman from Ohio for their leadership on this matter. Mr. Speaker. 25 million Americans. or one in every 10. will experience at least one seizure in their lifetime. At least 2.3 million Americans currently have epilepsy. but the effects of this disease extend to family members. caregivers. and employers. Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent. unprovoked seizures. Seizure disorders can develop and strike at any time in life. Approximately onethird of the 181.000 new cases of epilepsy and seizures that develop each year begin in childhood. and as many as 44 percent of the people with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite treatment. While the disorder does not discriminate. the state of health care in this country is such that the impact is most heavily felt in minority communities. Currently. there is no cure. Epilepsy can be a formidable barrier to normal life. affecting educational attainment. employment. and personal fulfillment. The stigma associated with seizures and societal misconceptions about them remain as facts of life for many individuals with epilepsy and magnify the social effects of this condition. Increased health care costs result in an economic burden on individuals. families. communities. and society as a whole. A 3year study. sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation. to determine the financial cost to individuals and the Nation found that the annual economic cost is approximately $12.5 billion. Of this. $1.7 billion is direct medical costs while $10.8 billion is indirect costs such as lost earning power. social isolation. and widespread unemployment. The study also found marked divisions in costs among people with epilepsy whose seizures are well controlled and those who continue to experience seizures despite treatment. Another disturbing fact about this issue. African Americans and minority populations are suffering dispropor"tionately. Once again. when this country gets a cold. the African American community gets pneumonia. The Epilepsy Foundation recently launched a diversity initiative with the goal of ensuring that all people with epilepsy have access to valuable services and information that help them manage their condition. monitor their health. and pursue the highest quality health care. The initiative was launched in response to disparities identified in health care access and quality of life with epilepsy who are members of minority communities. As our population continues to grow more diverse. these findings provide a wakeup call to the health care community that the health care quality divide is in danger of turning into a gulf. The Institute of Medicine reports that African Americans. Hispanics. and other minorities receive lowerquality health care than whites. even when income. age. and insurance status were considered. The disparities in health care delivery to minorities are real. The real challenge is to take the reality and develop solutions. Awareness is the first step. It is for this compelling reason that I ask you to join me in designating November 2003 as National Epilepsy Awareness Month. This resolution passed the Senate earlier this year. and it is now up to the House to ensure that this measure is recognized. Together we can make a difference in the lives of people struggling with the medical and social impact of this serious health condition. I ask Members to please join me in supporting S. Con. Res. 48.