U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) have introduced the Bipartisan Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act. The legislation seeks to reauthorize and expand access to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN program, which offers free cardiovascular risk screenings for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women aged 35–64.
“Americans deserve ample access to critical health services, particularly as it relates to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in our country. We know that women are at a higher risk of being affected by heart diseases as conditions often present differently in women. Through the Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act, we have an opportunity to expand access to potentially lifesaving resources—like cardiovascular screenings—to those who need them most,” said Senator Britt.
The bill was introduced during American Heart Month and aims to help participants understand their risk of cardiovascular disease through early detection and treatment.
Cardiovascular disease remains the top cause of death in the United States and is responsible for 12 percent of total U.S. health expenditures. Heart disease and stroke together cost $216 billion annually in healthcare expenses and result in $147 billion in lost job productivity.
“Nearly every family has been touched in some way by heart disease and stroke, as the leading cause of death for women in Maryland, Alabama, and across the country. We know heart disease is not just costing American lives, but it is also costing us financially– accounting for 12 percent of total U.S. health expenditures. We must do all we can to prevent this disease and ultimately save lives. The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act provides critical screenings and services to help women catch and treat heart disease early,” said Senator Alsobrooks.
Although heart disease affects all Americans, there are significant disparities based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status regarding prevalence and mortality rates. Many women do not recognize that heart disease is their leading cause of death each year.
Currently, eligibility restrictions limit participation in WISEWOMAN by requiring referral from another screening program; additionally, WISEWOMAN operates only in select states or tribal organizations. The proposed act would allow more flexibility for referrals into WISEWOMAN by permitting additional pathways through CDC partnerships with states or tribal groups as well as allowing other healthcare providers’ involvement. It would also authorize $250 million over five years to support broader nationwide expansion.
Senator Britt represents Alabama in the U.S. Senate official website where she focuses on issues including health care among other policy priorities such as agriculture, education, energy, infrastructure official website. She leads efforts on expanding affordable healthcare especially for rural populations facing disparities; she has sponsored bills like the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act aimed at eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic tests official website. Senator Britt also serves on committees covering judiciary matters, appropriations, banking oversight, border security subcommittees among others official website.
