Press Releases

Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined Dan Kildee (MI-08), co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, in introducing bipartisan legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to ensure doctors have up-to-date information on how best to treat patients exposed to toxic PFAS.

Their bill, the Better Care for PFAS Patients Act, would require the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to work with the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to update its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) clinical guidance every five years, at a minimum. In 2019, ATSDR published PFAS clinical guidance in response to demand among doctors for up-to-date information on how best to treat those exposed. However, there is no requirement that ATSDR regularly updates that guidance. 

Exposure to PFAS has already been tied to high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension, and the need for new guidance will only grow as more conditions are linked to these forever chemicals. 

“It’s been clear for years that PFAS has negative impacts on the health and well-being of American citizens,” said Congressman Lawler. “In the Hudson Valley, many communities have had to deal with the impacts of PFAS contamination. Which is why I’m proud to be introducing this critical, bipartisan piece of legislation with Congressman Dan Kildee to require studies of the health impacts and effects of PFAS substances. This legislation will help our nation begin to come to grips with, and work towards solving, the PFAS contamination issues that have impacted so many.”

“The list of health conditions associated with PFAS chemical exposure continues to grow, and doctors need updated guidance to provide proper care to those exposed,” said Congressman Kildee. “As we work to clean up PFAS in Michigan and across the country, I am committed to ensuring all those exposed have access to the care and treatment they need.”

Earlier this year, Representatives Lawler and Kildee introduced the VET PFAS Act, legislation that would ensure that veterans and families exposed to toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at military installations get health care and benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.