Summary: This bill extends through FY2031 a voluntary lead exposure registry supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The registry collects data on the exposure of individuals in Flint, Michigan, to lead contamination in the local drinking water system. (Cosponsors)
ANGIE CRAIG’S POSITION: Representative Craig co-sponsored the bill on 9/4/20.
STATUS: Introduced 6/18/20 by Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
INFORMATION RELATED TO THE BILL:
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Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, introduced new legislation in Congress to reauthorize the Flint Registry.
The Flint Registry Reauthorization Act would provide $50 million for Flint’s lead exposure registry over the next decade. The Flint Registry was created and funded by Congress in 2016 but needs to be reauthorized. The Flint Registry is a community-based effort to identify individuals exposed to lead during Flint water crisis and improve their health and development through connections to critical health care and other resources.
Health experts warn that there is no safe level of exposure to lead and it can have lifelong impact including behavioral, endocrine, and cardiovascular conditions, as well as learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental deficits. The consequences of lead exposure are serious and long-lasting, especially for children. The bill’s long-term support for the Flint Registry will help ensure that the Flint Registry can continue to help families impacted by the water crisis get connected to nutrition, education, and health care services for many years to come.
“The Flint water crisis is not over. The people of my hometown of Flint are still facing the effects of this man-made crisis and the Flint Registry will continue to play a critical role in the city’s recovery,” said Congressman Kildee. “The Flint Registry has already connected thousands of Flint residents to important health care, educational and nutritional services to minimize the impact of lead on their health. It is also critical to recognize that Flint residents are now dealing with two back-to-back crises, including the ongoing water crisis and now the coronavirus pandemic. This makes supporting the Flint Registry even more important for families.”
“The Flint Registry is connecting residents to the services they need to address the impact of lead on their health and is helping health providers monitor the health of these families. This important work should move forward so the families of Flint have the resources they need to continue recovering from this crisis,” said Senator Stabenow.
“While far too many families in Flint are still facing challenges due to lead exposure, we can continue mitigation by funding the Registry and providing critical wrap-around health and community support services,” said Senator Peters. “I am proud to help introduce this legislation that would ensure that the City of Flint and MSU can continue their efforts to not only better understand the impact of the crisis, but also usher in a brighter future for this resilient community.”
“The Flint Registry provides critical support for families and children as they deal with the lasting effects of lead exposure throughout their lives. The CDC has recognized the program as ‘a beacon of recovery’ for residents, and I am proud to work with Congressman Kildee and Michigan State University in bringing this program to fruition,” said Congressman John Moolenaar, Michigan’s senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, with oversight of funding for CDC programs. “I urge my colleagues in Congress to reauthorize this program and I will work on the Appropriations Committee to fund it in the years ahead.”
“As intended, the Flint Registry is already improving the health and development of individuals impacted by the Flint water crisis. To date, the Flint Registry has enrolled thousands of individuals, and completed over 9,000 referrals to critical support services. The built public health infrastructure of the Flint Registry continues to support Flint’s long-term recovery, while also sharing best practices with similarly impacted communities. The Flint Registry Reauthorization Act will help ensure the Flint Registry can continue supporting the Flint community now and for many years to come,” said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of MSU-Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative.
Representatives John Moolenaar (MI-04), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Fred Upton (MI-06), Andy Levin (MI-09), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) are sponsoring this legislation in the House with Congressman Kildee.
The Flint Registry Reauthorization Act continues Congressman Kildee’s work on protecting Flint families that have been affected by the water crisis. In December 2016, Congress passed $170 million in federal aid, championed by Congressman Kildee and Senators Stabenow and Peters , directed at helping Flint recover from the city’s ongoing water crisis, including the resources for today’s announced lead registry. President Obama signed the Flint aid package into law on December 16, 2016.
(Source: Rep. Dan Kildee Press Release, 6/18/20)
ADDITIONAL DETAIL:
Link to the text of the bill.
Link to bill information (support and opposition) on Countable.
Link to bill information on GovTrack.