89–009

107TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 107–183

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A NATIONAL REFLEX

SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY (RSD) AWARENESS MONTH

AUGUST 1, 2001.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

Mr. TAUZIN, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce,

submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H. Con. Res. 61]

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred

the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 61) expressing support for

a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month,

having considered the same, report favorably thereon without

amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution be

agreed to.

CONTENTS

Page

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 1

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 2

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 2

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 3

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 3

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 3

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 3

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 3

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 3

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 4

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 4

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 4

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 4

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 4

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 5

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H. Con. Res. 61 supports the National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month. This resolution expresses the

sense of the Congress that all Americans should take an active role

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in combating RSD; that organizations which promote awareness

should be applauded for their efforts in combating this disease;

that health care providers should increase efforts to diagnose RSD;

and that the Federal government has a responsibility to raise

awareness about RSD, increase research funding for RSD, and consider ways to improve access to health care services for detecting

and treating RSD.

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy—also known as complex regional

pain syndrome—is a debilitating and painful progressive disease of

the nervous system, afflicting an estimated 7 million children and

adults. RSD can strike at any age, but is most common between

the ages of 40 and 60. It affects both men and women, but is more

frequently seen in women. Although it can occur at any age, the

number of RSD cases among adolescents and young adults is increasing.

RSD typically results from a simple trauma, infection, or surgery

which damages the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system—the

part of the nervous system responsible for controlling the diameter

of blood vessels. These damaged nerves send inappropriate signals

to the brain, interfering with normal information about sensations,

temperature, and blood flow. This damage can lead to chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration of

the skin, muscles, blood vessels and bones. Presently, there is no

cure for RSD, and the current treatments have not changed much

in the last 20 years or longer.

RSD is often misdiagnosed because it remains poorly understood.

Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that some patients improve

without treatment. A delay in diagnosis and/or treatment for this

syndrome can result in severe physical and psychological problems.

Early recognition and treatment provide the greatest opportunity

for recovery.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

(NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), currently supports and conducts research on the brain and central

nervous system, including research relevant to RSD.

HEARINGS

The Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on H. Con. Res. 61

entitled ‘‘Advancing the Health of the American People: Addressing

Various Public Health Needs’’ on June 17, 2001. The witness testifying on H. Con. Res. 61 was Ms. Debra Lundquist, Administrative

Director, American Society for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

(RSD)/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS).

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On Wednesday, July 11, 2001, the Subcommittee on Health met

in open markup session and approved H. Con. Res. 61 for Full

Committee consideration, by a voice vote, a quorum being present.

On Wednesday, July 18, 2001, the Full Committee met in open

markup session and ordered H. Con. Res. 61 favorably reported to

the House by unanimous consent, a quorum being present.

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COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes on the motion

to report legislation and amendments thereto. There were no

record votes taken in connection with ordering H. Con. Res. 61 reported. A motion by Mr. Tauzin to order H. Con. Res. 61 reported

to the House was agreed to by unanimous consent.

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House

of Representatives, the Committee held a legislative hearing and

made findings that are reflected in this report.

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of H. Con. Res. 61 is to show the support of the Congress for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the

House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H. Con. Res.

61, a concurrent resolution expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month, would result

in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement authority, or

tax expenditures or revenues.

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate provided by

the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the

Congressional Budget Act of 1974:

U.S. CONGRESS,

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE,

Washington, DC, July 30, 2001.

Hon. W.J. ‘‘BILLY’’ TAUZIN, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimates for the following Concurrent Resolutions approved by the Committee on Energy and Commerce:

H. Con. Res. 25, expressing the sense of the Congress regarding tuberous sclerosis;

H. Con. Res. 36, urging increased federal funding for juvenile

(Type I) diabetes research;

H. Con. Res. 61, expressing support for a National Reflex

Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

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If you wish further details on these estimates, we will be pleased

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Charles Betley.

Sincerely,

BARRY B. ANDERSON

(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).

Enclosure.

H. Con. Res. 61—Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

H. Con. Res. 61 would express support of the Congress for efforts

to raise public awareness about Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

(RSD) increase funding for research on RSD and improve access to

and quality of health care services for detecting and treating RSD.

CBO estimates that passing H. Con. Res. 61 would result in no significant cost to the federal government. The resolution would not

affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.

The CBO staff contact is Charles Betley. This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget

Analysis.

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House

of Representatives, the Committee finds that the Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in Article I, section 8, clause

3, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several States, and with the Indian tribes.

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Con. Res. 61 urges the Congress to encourage all Americans

to take an active role in combating reflex sympathetic dystrophy

(RSD) by recognizing its symptoms; raise awareness about the importance of the early detection and proper treatment of RSD; work

to increase research funding for RSD; and, to continue to consider

ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services

for detecting and treating RSD.

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CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

This legislation does not amend any existing Federal statute.

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