[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NIH OFFICE OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with Congresswoman 
Morella in introducing the ``NIH Office of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 
1999.'' This legislation is intended to enhance the Federal 
government's research on autoimmune diseases and disorders. Most 
importantly, the Act highlights the urgency of treating autoimmune 
diseases as a priority women's health issue.
  Many of our colleagues are familiar with diseases such as multiple 
sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome. 
But what is not well recognized is how these and dozens of other 
diseases are linked by autoimmunity. As the NIH explains, ``If a person 
has an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks itself, 
targeting the cells, tissues and organs of a person's own body.''
  Today, we have identified at least eighty autoimmune diseases which 
lead to death, severe disability, and vitiate the quality of life. They 
inflict a tremendous toll on families and our communities. 
Collectively, autoimmune diseases affect five percent of the 
population, or more than 13.5 million Americans, causing untold 
mortality and morbidity in this country, as well as billions in health 
care expenditures and lost productivity every year.
  What is most striking is the disproportionate impact of these 
diseases on women. Three quarters of those afflicted with an autoimmune 
disease are women. Multiple sclerosis is twice as common in women 
compared to men. And the best available research suggests that 
autoimmunity may be the cause of 50 to 60 percent of unexplained cases 
of infertility and is also a major cause of miscarriages.
  Compounding the uncertainty surrounding the causation of many of 
these diseases and the need for effective therapies is a persistent 
lack of information and understanding about autoimmune diseases. The 
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association recently found that 
two-thirds of all women suffering from autoimmune diseases had been 
labeled ``chronic complainers'' before being correctly diagnosed. No 
woman should have to experience such insensitivity and lack of 
awareness when seeking care for a life-threatening illness.
  The Federal government is pursuing a broad agenda of research and 
education on autoimmune diseases. For several years, the National 
Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported a multi-institute research 
program on the mechanisms of immunotherapy for autoimmune disease. 
There is an NIH research program for autoimmunity centers of 
excellence. And NIH institutes and the Office of Women's Health 
Research are focusing research funding on the genetic susceptibility to 
autoimmune diseases, as well as the role of environmental and 
infectious agents.
  But it is clear that more can be done. The NIH recently established 
an autoimmune diseases coordinating committee, to help facilitate the 
innovative research being conducted on autoimmune diseases. 
Congresswoman Morella played a leadership role in this regard. The 
Congress has also dramatically increased NIH funding over the past few 
years, with the expectation that autoimmune disease research would 
benefit from this trend.
  Our bill would take these promising developments a step farther. 
Progress on finding cures and treatments for autoimmune diseases would 
be expedited by a permanent office at the NIH dedicated to developing a 
consensus research agenda, as well as promoting cooperation and 
coordination of ongoing research. Such an office could serve as an 
advisor to the Director of NIH and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, and act as a high-level liaison to the many important 
autoimmune disease patient groups.
  The bill is endorsed and strongly supported by organizations 
including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Autoimmune 
Related Diseases Association, National Coalition of Autoimmune Disease 
Patient Groups, Lupus Foundation of America, CFIDS Association of 
America, Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation 
of America, Myositis Association of America, Wegener's Granulomatosis 
Support Group, Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Coalition of 
Patient Advocates for Skin Disease Research, the National Alopecia 
Areata Foundation and the National Pemphigus Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, we urge our colleagues to join us in cosponsoring ``NIH 
Office of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 1999.''

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