Summary of HR 307 - ARC Act of 2025

Overview

The Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act of 2025, also known as the ARC Act of 2025, was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 9, 2025. The bill aims to address the critical health issue of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which significantly increases the risk of amputations, heart attacks, and strokes among affected individuals.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of the ARC Act is to:
- Raise awareness about PAD and its serious health implications.
- Promote routine screening and testing for PAD as a standard part of medical care.
- Implement national, evidence-based care guidelines to reduce the incidence of amputations and related deaths among individuals diagnosed with PAD.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important findings and provisions:
1. Awareness and Education: The bill highlights the lack of awareness among Americans regarding PAD and its risks, particularly among minority populations who are disproportionately affected.
2. Statistics and Impact:
- Approximately 21 million Americans are estimated to have PAD.
- About 200,000 of these individuals, particularly minorities, suffer avoidable amputations each year.
- Amputation risks are significantly higher for African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics.
3. Health Risks: The bill notes that individuals with PAD face a 67% increase in the risk of cardiac death compared to those without the condition.
4. Cost-Effectiveness of Screening: The legislation asserts that screening for PAD is cost-effective and should be integrated into routine healthcare practices.
5. Guidelines for Care: Once PAD is detected, the bill advocates for adherence to national care guidelines to mitigate the risks of amputations and improve patient outcomes.

Affected Populations

The ARC Act primarily targets:
- Individuals diagnosed with PAD, especially those from minority communities who face higher risks of amputation.
- Healthcare providers who will be encouraged to adopt screening and treatment protocols for PAD.

Legislative Actions

• Introduced: January 9, 2025
• Referred to Committees: The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
• Sponsor Remarks: Initial remarks by the bill's sponsor, LaMonica McIver, were made on January 14, 2025.

Sponsors

The bill is sponsored by LaMonica McIver and has numerous cosponsors, including:
- Lloyd Doggett
- Valerie P. Foushee
- Greg Stanton
- Donald G. Davis
- Gregory W. Meeks
- Joyce Beatty
- James C. Moylan
- Henry C. "Hank" Johnson
- Jack Bergman
- Betty McCollum
- Angie Craig
- Sharice Davids
- Eleanor Holmes Norton
- Kweisi Mfume
- Debbie Wasserman Schultz
- Julia Brownley
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
- Josh Gottheimer
- Emilia Strong Sykes
- Yvette D. Clarke
- Danny K. Davis
- Sanford D. Bishop
- Nydia M. Velázquez
- Frederica S. Wilson
- Bennie G. Thompson
- Shri Thanedar
- Robin L. Kelly
- Mark Takano
- Joaquin Castro
- Summer L. Lee
- Julie Johnson
- André Carson
- Maxwell Frost
- Terri A. Sewell
- Jonathan L. Jackson
- Lori Trahan
- Maxine Waters
- Bonnie Watson Coleman

Conclusion

The ARC Act of 2025 seeks to significantly improve the health outcomes for millions of Americans suffering from PAD by promoting awareness, screening, and adherence to best practices in care. By addressing this critical health issue, the bill aims to reduce the incidence of amputations and associated mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations.