September 27, 2019

Rep. Vargas introduces H.R. 4548 for Asthma Care in Rural Communities

Washington, D.C. (September 27, 2019) – Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) introduced the Asthma Care and Prevention in Rural Communities Act (H.R. 4548), along with Rep. Engel (NY-16), and Rep. Cox (CA-21). This legislation will instruct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide grants for mobile clinics and telemedicine to treat asthma in children living in rural areas and medically underserved communities, and to enhance education around managing asthma in these communities.

“The detrimental impact of asthma on children living in rural communities is understudied, and that is why I am proud to be introducing this legislation. In addition to enhancing access to care for these communities, this bill will provide research on the best treatment practices in rural areas,” said Rep. Vargas.  “It is our job to ensure that children are healthy, no matter where they live.”

This bill will provide underserved rural communities with the resources they need to bring mobile clinics to counties with childhood asthma rates of 12% or above. The legislation also directs the CDC to perform a study on the burden of asthma in rural communities and report proposed solutions back to Congress. 

“Cities in the Central Valley have the worst air quality in the nation, contributing to high asthma rates that disproportionately impact our children,” said Rep. TJ Cox. “I’m excited to work with my colleague, Rep. Juan Vargas, to bring critical telehealth services and mobile clinics to asthma patients in rural and underserved areas like those in our district. We need to keep our kids in school and out of the hospital.”

CDC studies shows that children with access to asthma clinics and operative care have fewer missed school days, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits.  Moreover, CDC data shows that children living in poverty are more likely to suffer from asthma than children who live in higher-income homes. Nationally over 25 million people currently suffer from asthma. 

"Underserved areas, such as the Bronx in my district, are disproportionately affected by childhood asthma," said Rep. Eliot L. Engel. "As Co-Chair of the Allergy and Asthma Caucus, I am pleased to join Congressman Vargas on this important legislation which will expand access to asthma-related services in these communities through the use of mobile health clinics."

Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border.  Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term in Congress.  He serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

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