[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CHRISTOPHER REEVE ON MEDICAL RESEARCH

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, on March 13, 1997, along with 
Senator Arlen Specter, I introduced bipartisan legislation, S. 441, the 
National Fund for Health Research Act. This important bill would 
provide additional resources for health research over and above those 
provided to the National Institutes of Health in the annual 
appropriations process. The fund will help eradicate some of the 
illnesses that now strike millions of Americans.
  At this time I would like to submit for the Record a letter from 
Christopher Reeve endorsing the National Fund for Health Research Act. 
Christopher Reeve has worked tirelessly since his accident to increase 
funding for medical research. We all owe Christopher Reeve a debt of 
gratitude for bringing health care concerns to the attention of all 
Americans. He and I both realize that the Fund for Health Research Act 
could hold the key to finding successful treatments for hundreds of 
diseases. In his letter, Christopher Reeve states that S. 441 will give 
our best researchers the funds they need to stay ahead of a developing 
crisis. I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment and urge the Senate 
to move quickly on this legislation. I now ask that the text of 
Christopher Reeve's letter be printed in the Record.
  The letter follows:

                                            Christopher Reeve,

                                                   March 20, 1997.
     President Clinton,
     The White House, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Clinton. I was sorry to hear about your 
     unfortunate accident but glad to know you will make a full 
     recovery and that your activities won't be limited in the 
     future. The sight of you in a wheelchair was very moving but 
     also a helpful image for all Americans particularly the 
     disabled.
       At the risk of becoming a pest, I'm taking this opportunity 
     to ask your support for legislation introduced last week by 
     Senators Specter and Harkin which would require insurance 
     companies to donate 1 penny out of every dollar they receive 
     in premiums to the NIH. It is estimated that this would 
     provide an additional $6 billion dollars annually for 
     research.
       I feel it is an excellent proposal because it does not 
     raise taxes, the insurance companies can afford it and they 
     ultimately receive the additional benefit of having to pay 
     for fewer claims. And as I am sure you're aware, recent 
     studies have shown the cost effectiveness of research, is of 
     course a crucial factor in the balanced budget debate. As 
     America ages, the attendant health problems will not go away 
     unless we give our best researchers the funds they need to 
     stay ahead of a developing crisis.
       Thank you again for all the helpful comments you have made 
     so far about research since the convention last year. Now is 
     the time for all of us to push into high gear.
       With best wishes for a speedy recovery.
           Sincerely,

                                            Christopher Reeve,

                                   (Signed by Michael Manganiello,
     Special Assistant to Christoper Reeve).

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