H. Con. Res. 271 Agreed to December 15, 2000

One Hundred Sixth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,

the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand

Concurrent Resolution

Whereas multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease

of the central nervous system which often first appears in people

between the ages of 20 and 40, with lifelong physical and emotional effects;

Whereas multiple sclerosis is twice as common in women as in

men;

Whereas an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 individuals suffer from

multiple sclerosis nationally;

Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision;

Whereas the progress, severity, and specific symptoms of multiple

sclerosis in any one person cannot yet be predicted;

Whereas the annual cost to each affected individual averages

$34,000, and the total cost can exceed $2 million over an individual’s lifetime;

Whereas the annual cost of treating all people who suffer from

multiple sclerosis in the United States is nearly $9 billion;

Whereas the cause of multiple sclerosis remains unknown, but

genetic factors are believed to play a role in determining a person’s risk for developing multiple sclerosis;

Whereas many of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be treated

with medications and rehabilitative therapy;

Whereas new treatments exist that can slow the course of the

disease, and reduce its severity;

Whereas medical experts recommend that all people newly

diagnosed with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis begin diseasemodifying therapy;

Whereas finding the genes responsible for susceptibility to multiple

sclerosis may lead to the development of new and more effective

ways to treat the disease;

Whereas increased funding for the National Institutes of Health

would provide the opportunity for research and the creation of

programs to increase awareness, prevention, and education; and

Whereas Congress as an institution, and Members of Congress

as individuals, are in unique positions to help raise public awareness about the detection and treatment of multiple sclerosis and

to support the fight against multiple sclerosis: Now, therefore,

be it
H. Con. Res. 271—2

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

(1) all Americans should take an active role in the fight

to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis on individuals, their families, and the economy;

(2) the role played by national and community organizations and health care professionals in promoting the importance

of continued funding for research, and in providing information

about and access to the best medical treatment and support

services for people with multiple sclerosis should be recognized

and applauded;

(3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to—

(A) continue to fund research so that the causes of,

and improved treatment for, multiple sclerosis may be

discovered;

(B) continue to consider ways to improve access to,

and the quality of, health care services for people with

multiple sclerosis;

(C) endeavor to raise public awareness about the symptoms of multiple sclerosis; and

(D) endeavor to raise health professional’s awareness

about diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the best course

of treatment for people with the disease.

Attest:

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attest:

Secretary of the Senate.