A local resident helped lobby on Capitol Hill for the Lymphedema Treatment Act, which passed as part of the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill in Congress before Christmas.

Kara Groenenboom is an occupational therapy assistant at Pella Regional, and 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 — which was approved as part of the $1.7 trillion omnibus that passed Friday, aims to improve insurance coverage for the medically necessary, doctor-prescribed compression supplies. She says Lymphedema is chronic swelling (edema) caused by a buildup 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.

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