Lawmakers Urge More Medical Research for Pregnant Women

Lawmakers Urge More Medical Research for Pregnant Women

Each year, hundreds of thousands of pregnant women confront chronic diseases that require prescription medications, yet there is very little knowledge about the effects of these treatments on the pregnant body.  Pregnant women are usually excluded from large-scale clinical studies due to the risks involved; however, medical experts agree that there are simple and safe research studies that could be performed that would allow doctors to provide more effective care for both pregnant women and their unborn children.  

Rep. Levin and 35 other members of Congress recently sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services urging the development of research guidance for research on pregnant women, so that studies that are safe and valuable can be carried out.  The letter states: “It is critical that we understand how to safely and effectively treat pregnant women.... [otherwise] women may continue to compromise their health with treatment based on guesswork rather than evidence.”

Damage from Mercury Pollution More Extensive than Previously Believed

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can cause permanent damage to the brain, kidneys and central nervous system, especially among young children.  Mercury is released into our air and water chiefly when coal is burned to generate electricity at powerplants that have not upgraded their pollution control technology.  A new study called Hidden Risk underscores the dangers that mercury pollution also poses to songbirds, bats, and other wildlife.  

Rep. Levin is a cosponsor of legislation [H.R. 3391] that would establish a national mercury monitoring network to ensure we have accurate information about the extent of mercury pollution.  Rep. Levin also strongly opposes legislation to roll back Clean Air Act rules that will finally require powerplants to sharply reduce mercury emissions.

Congressmen Levin and Davis Introduce Food Donation Bill

Rep. Levin and Rep. Davis of Kentucky have introduced legislation to expand and strengthen a tax deduction that encourages business donations to food banks and pantries so that they can accommodate the increased need.  The legislation makes more businesses eligible for the deduction and increases the amount of food eligible for the deduction.  For more information about the legislation, click here.

“Far too many Americans are having difficulty affording enough food, and food banks are struggling to meet the increased demand for assistance,” said Rep. Levin.  “By strengthening the incentives for businesses to donate food inventory to their local food banks, we can help take food out of landfills and put it into the empty pantries of hungry Americans.”

Macomb Food Conference

In November, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners held a hearing to highlight the painful increase in hunger among residents.  Nearly 18% of the population has inadequate access to food at some point during the year.

Michigan State University Extension in Macomb took the lead and formed a group called the Macomb Food Systems Council and starting planning the “All About Food – From Farm to Fork Conference” taking place next Wednesday, February 8th at the Macomb Intermediate School District in Clinton Township.  To view the brochure and agenda, please click here.