Cassidy Tours LSU Health, Speaks on Dyslexia in New Orleans

METAIRIE - On Friday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) visited New Orleans, where he first visited and toured LSU Health to discuss how they are working to make Louisiana families healthier and address chronic health concerns.

"LSU Health is helping patients defeat obesity and lower their risk of cancer," said Dr. Cassidy. "I will continue to support these efforts, so our loved ones can live longer, healthier lives."

As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy recently chaired a hearing on how to modernize NIH, so they can create innovative, lifesaving cures for Americans. Additionally, Cassidy has passed into law legislation to improve research into childhood cancer, and has proposed the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which would increase access for senior citizens to weight management medications.

While at LSU Health, Cassidy toured their new research laboratory space in their Medical Education Building and specifically learned how they are taking advantage of the All of Us Research Program sponsored by NIH. Cassidy discussed LSU Health's work with Dr. Lucio Miele, the director of the LSU-LCMC Health Cancer Center and their Cancer Crusaders Professor of Genetics.

"Large-scale efforts like the All of Us Precision Medicine Research Program and its ancillary studies such as Nutrition for Precision Health are key to tackling the burden of chronic disease in Louisiana, including diabetes, obesity and cancer," said Dr. Miele. "Our participation in All of Us, NPH, and future All of Us-based studies will play a major role in our drive to achieve NCI designation for Louisiana. These cutting-edge programs would allow us to accelerate discoveries that will ultimately reduce the cancer burden in our state."

Later, Cassidy attended the Annual National Conference of the American Language Therapy Association (ALTA) to speak on his passion for helping people with dyslexia.

"I know first-hand how you can change a dyslexic child's life if she gets the support she needs," said Dr. Cassidy. "By diagnosing dyslexia early and supporting schools which specialize in helping dyslexic students, we can help every child reach their full potential."

Cassidy is an advocate for dyslexic students and adults, starting when he created the Bipartisan Congressional Dyslexia Caucus as a U.S. Representative. Again as Chairman of the HELP Committee, he introduced the 21^st Century Dyslexia Act, which would include dyslexia in a list of disabilities which define a "child with a disability," thus encouraging early diagnosis of the condition. He also held a roundtable earlier this week on how to support students with dyslexia and ensure all students have an opportunity to succeed. Finally in 2018, Cassidy inserted language in the First Step Act to screen inmates for dyslexia, so they can become literate and be less likely to break the law again when they leave the prison system.

Before his remarks at the conference, Cassidy was welcomed by conference chairwoman Traci Barrientos, M.Ed., who thanked Cassidy for being a champion of those with dyslexia.

"Senator Cassidy's presence at ALTA's 40^th Anniversary National Conference marks a historic milestone - the first time a federal legislator has stood before our professional body to speak directly to our mission," said Ms. Barrientos. "His leadership on the First Step Act and the 21^st Century Dyslexia Act reflects a deep understanding of how unidentified written language disorders shape outcomes in education, the workforce, and the justice system. We are profoundly grateful for Senator Cassidy's commitment to individuals with dyslexia and honored to welcome him to this landmark conference in his home state of Louisiana."

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