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[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 97 Referred in House (RFH)]

  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 97

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 22, 2000

                 Referred to the Committee on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the support of Congress for activities to increase public 
                    awareness of multiple sclerosis.

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 $2,000,000 over an individual's lifetime;
Whereas the annual cost of treating all people who suffer from multiple 
        sclerosis in the United States is nearly $9,000,000,000;
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 disease-modifying 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
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of 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; and
            (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.

            Passed the Senate March 21, 2000.

            Attest:

                                                     GARY SISCO

                                                             Secretary.
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