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 emo-
tional 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 numb-
ness 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 individ-
ual’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 per-
son’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 aware-
ness 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 concur-
ring), 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 individ-
uals, their families, and the economy;
(2) the role played by national and community organiza-
tions 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 symp-
toms 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.