IV
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 189
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding inflammatory bowel disease.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 20, 2001
Mrs. KELLY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding inflammatory
bowel disease.
Whereas Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (collectively
known as inflammatory bowel disease) are chronic dis-
orders of the intestinal tract that cause intense pain and
suffering and represent the leading cause of morbidity
from digestive illness;
Whereas the cause of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative co-
litis are unknown and there is no cure;
Whereas an estimated 1 million people in the United States
suffer inflammatory bowel disease;
Whereas inflammatory bowel disease affects men and women
equally, tends to run in families, and predominately af-
flicts persons under the age of 30 although it can strike
at any age;
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Whereas inflammatory bowel disease patients often require
intensive steroid treatments or invasive surgery to control
their symptoms;
Whereas in 1990, the total annual medical costs for Crohn’s
disease patients was estimated at $1–$1.2 billion;
Whereas in 1990, the total annual medical cost for ulcerative
colitis patients was estimated at $400–$600 million;
Whereas inflammatory bowel disease patients are at high risk
for developing colorectal cancer;
Whereas research recently identified the first gene for
Crohn’s disease; and
Whereas the Congress as an institution, and Members of
Congress as individuals, are in unique positions to help
raise public awareness about the need for increased fund-
ing for research, epidemiology, and treatment of inflam-
matory bowel disease: Now, therefore, be it
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 against inflammatory bowel disease by all
means available to them, including the investigation
of family histories;
(2) the role played by national organizations
and health care providers in promoting awareness of
inflammatory bowel disease and supporting research
should be applauded;
(3) the Federal Government has a responsibility
to—
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(A) endeavor to raise awareness about in-
flammatory bowel disease, and the high risk
that patients have for developing colorectal can-
cer;
(B) continue to consider ways to improve
the quality of health care services for inflam-
matory bowel disease patients, including rec-
ognition of the need for unimpeded access to a
gastroenterologist, and coverage of parenteral
and enteral nutrition; and
(C) assess the challenges that inflam-
matory bowel disease patients frequently en-
counter when applying for Social Security dis-
ability benefits, and take appropriate action to
address these barriers;
(4) the Director of the National Institute of Di-
abetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, in col-
laboration with other appropriate institutes of the
National Institutes of Health, should continue to
take a leadership role in the fight against inflam-
matory bowel disease through the expansion of ge-
netic, environmental, and clinical research; and
(5) the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion should give priority consideration to the estab-
lishment of a national inflammatory bowel disease
•HCON 189 IH
epidemiology program for the purpose of deter-
mining the true prevalence and demographic charac-
teristics of the disease.
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