An occupational therapy assistant at Pella Regional Health Center continues to lobby Congress about a bill that could help millions of U.S. residents.

Kara Groenenboom says she was in Washington D.C. to discuss the Lymphedema Treatment Act with Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst earlier this month. The bill aims to improve insurance coverage for the medically necessary, doctor-prescribed compression supplies, and has passed in the U.S. House with an overwhelming majority. She says Lymphedema is chronic swelling (edema) caused by a build up of fluid (lymph) that occurs when the lymphatic system is either faulty or damaged, and while there is no cure, it can be effectively treated, although often at significant cost to the patient. It is estimated that 3-5 million Americans suffer from lymphedema, which is often misdiagnosed or missed entirely.

The bill is currently attached to a $1.7 trillion omnibus bill that could pass the U.S. Senate yet this week.

Hear more about the Lymphedema Treatment Act on today’s Let’s Talk Pella and read more about the proposed bill here.