Congressman Doggett Announces Chairmanship of Bipartisan Hydrocephalus Caucus
***Press Release***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2019 | Contact: Kate Stotesbery 202-225-4865 |
Congressman Doggett Announces Chairmanship of Bipartisan Hydrocephalus Caucus
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, announced that he will co-chair the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus. His chairmanship was welcomed by the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) and the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation (PHF). Rep. Doggett will share the chair responsibilities of the bipartisan House caucus with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).
"This caucus serves as an avenue for legislators to support those pushing forward on research for a cure—while also addressing the need to make treatment available and affordable to all patients," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett. "I look forward to working with Rep. Smith to cultivate a constructive forum to raise awareness of and work to solve the needs of those affected by this condition."
"We are honored to welcome Congressman Doggett as co-chair of the Hydrocephalus Caucus," said HA chair Brett Weitz. "His deep knowledge of health care policy and his crucial role in Congress will provide the Caucus with unparalleled leadership." HA serves thousands of members represented in every state and around the globe, and is the largest non-profit funder of hydrocephalus research, supporting groundbreaking studies into the causes, prevention and treatment of the condition. PHF provides support to the families, friends and children who are diagnosed with hydrocephalus and raises critical awareness and funds to support life-changing research into the condition.
The Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus serves to inform the congressional community about the needs of those living with hydrocephalus, their families and caregivers, including funding for research from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense, health policy including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid, special education and rehabilitation services.
Hydrocephalus—sometimes colloquially referred to as "water on the brain"—is a complex, life-threatening neurological condition affecting more than one million Americans of every age. Although it is often thought of as a condition affecting newborns, anyone at any time can develop hydrocephalus from a brain injury (including members of the military), tumor, infection, or for unknown reasons as part of the aging process. The condition has no cure and can only be treated through brain surgery. The most prevalent treatment involves the placement of a shunt into the brain to siphon excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another part of the body. This technology carries lifelong risks of device failure and infection that necessitates costly repeat brain surgeries and potentially severe complications, including death.
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