Leader Schumer Statement On World Sepsis Day

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released the following statement on World Sepsis Day:

"Today on World Sepsis Day - and everyday - I am pushing for legislation that would alleviate the pain and tragedy that has befallen too many Americans because of a lack of public awareness. Too many sepsis cases fall under the radar until it's too late. My fight against this tragic disease began when I met Ciaran and Orlaith Saunton who went through a terrible agony, losing their 12-year-old son Rory to sepsis a decade ago. Now, I have spent the last few years fighting to raise awareness and improve data collection. This day is a reminder that we must double down on our bipartisan effort to eradicate this ailment and work to pass the SEPSIS Act through Congress immediately."

The SEPSIS Act - led by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Collins (R-ME) and Kim (D-NJ) - would:

1. task the CDC with dedicated sepsis work, building on their ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of sepsis through the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements
2. require a report on the development and implementation of a sepsis outcome measure, and a Congressional briefing on CDCs sepsis activities.
3. implement a voluntary recognition program for hospitals who maintain effective sepsis programs or improve their sepsis programs over time.

The SEPSIS Act will help reduce the financial toll that sepsis imposes on the healthcare system, some $64 billion annually, and the devastating human burden on American families.

This legislation is supported by END SEPSIS, the Sepsis Alliance, the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

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