[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 420 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 420

 Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) 
                                 Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 9, 2000

Mr. Barrett of Wisconsin submitted the following resolution; which was 
                 referred to the Committee on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) 
                                 Month.

Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is an extremely painful progressive 
        disease of the nervous system resulting from a simple trauma, infection, 
        or surgery that can lead to chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, 
        stiffness, and discoloration of the skin, muscles, blood vessels, and 
        bones;
Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts an estimated 7 
        million children and adults, the majority of whom are women;
Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, inhibiting the early 
        diagnosis and treatment needed for recovery and contributing to 
        dismissals of patients' pain and suffering;
Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment involves multiple 
        medications and therapies with costs that can be prohibitive; and
Whereas Bob, Lynne, and Keith Orsini founded the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy 
        Hope Group (known as the RSDHope Group) in 1995, Betsy Herman 
        established the RSDHope Teen Corner in 1998, and they all have worked 
        tirelessly to provide information and support to RSD sufferers and their 
        families and friends and to bring national attention to this crippling 
        disease: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) all Americans should take an active role in combatting 
        reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by recognizing its symptoms 
        (which often follow an injury or surgery), such as constant 
        burning pain, skin irritation, inflammation, muscle spasms, 
        fatigue, and insomnia;
            (2) national and community organizations should be 
        recognized and applauded for their work in promoting awareness 
        about RSD and for providing information and support to its 
        sufferers;
            (3) health care providers should continue to increase their 
        efforts to diagnose the disease in its earliest possible stages 
        to increase the likelihood of remission;
            (4) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
                    (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the 
                importance of the early detection and proper treatment 
                RSD;
                    (B) work to increase research funding so that the 
                causes of, and improved treatment and cure for, RSD may 
                be discovered; and
                    (C) continue to consider ways to improve access to, 
                and the quality of, health care services for detecting 
                and treating RSD; and
            (5) a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month 
        should be established to educate the public about the nature 
        and effects of this terrible disease.
                                 <all>