[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4851-S4852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Cochran):
  S. 2562. A bill to expand research regarding inflammatory bowel 
disease, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today for myself and Mr. Cochran to 
introduce the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act, which will advance our 
knowledge of this serious health condition and our ability to treat 
people suffering from it.
  Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic disorders of the 
gastrointestinal tract which represent the major causes of morbidity 
and mortality from digestive illness. Because they behave similarly, 
these disorders are collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 
It can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and rectal 
bleeding. Moreover, complications related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease 
can include arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, liver disease, and colon 
cancer. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are not fatal, but they 
can be devastating. We do not know their cause, and we have no cure. 
There

[[Page S4852]]

are an estimated 1 million people in the United States who suffer from 
Inflammatory Bowel Disease. In 1990, total annual medical costs for 
Crohn's Disease patients was $1 to $1.2 million, and for patients with 
colitis, $400 to $600 thousand.
  A recent medical breakthrough, identification of the gene for Crohn's 
Disease--opens up exciting new pathways for research to understand 
underlying disease mechanisms and to improve therapies for those who 
suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Our legislation establishes a 
distinct research program within the National Institute of Diabetes and 
Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. 
Studies that translate findings from basic genetic and animal model 
research are among the promising areas to be advanced. With a program 
of Inflammatory Bowel Disease prevention and epidemiology at the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we can generate an accurate 
analysis of the make-up of the population with Inflammatory Bowel 
Disease, thereby obtaining invaluable clues to the potential causes and 
risks associated with the disease.
  The bill also will inform public and private health coverage policy 
by providing for a study of the coverage standards of Medicare, 
Medicaid, and private health insurance for therapies for Inflammatory 
Bowel Disease. It will be conducted by the Institute of Medicine of the 
National Academies of Science. In addition, the bill calls for a 
General Accounting Office study of the problems patients with 
Inflammatory Bowel Disease encounter when applying for disability 
insurance benefits.
  This bill will benefit millions of Americans who suffer from or who 
are at risk of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It promises to 
alleviate much suffering, to assist patients in accessing sound and 
effective medical treatment, and to benefit those who are debilitated 
by Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2562

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Inflammatory Bowel Disease 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are serious 
     inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's 
     disease may occur in any section of the gastrointestinal 
     tract but is predominately found in the lower part of the 
     small intestine and the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis 
     is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the 
     innermost lining of the colon. Because Crohn's disease and 
     ulcerative colitis behave similarly, they are collectively 
     known as inflammatory bowel disease. Both diseases present a 
     variety of symptoms, including severe diarrhea, crampy 
     abdominal pain, fever, and rectal bleeding. There is no known 
     cause of inflammatory bowel disease, or medical cure.
       (2) It is estimated that up to 1,000,000 people in the 
     United States suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.
       (3) In 1990, the total annual medical costs for Crohn's 
     disease patients was estimated at $1,000,000,000 to 
     $1,200,000,000.
       (4) In 1990, the total annual medical costs for ulcerative 
     colitis patients was estimated at $400,000,000 to 
     $600,000,000.
       (5) Inflammatory bowel disease patients are at high-risk 
     for developing colorectal cancer.

     SEC. 3. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE RESEARCH EXPANSION.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of 
     Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases shall expand, 
     intensify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute 
     with respect to research on inflammatory bowel disease with 
     particular emphasis on the following areas:
       (1) Genetic research on susceptibility for inflammatory 
     bowel disease, including the interaction of genetic and 
     environmental factors in the development of the disease.
       (2) Animal model research on inflammatory bowel disease, 
     including genetics in animals.
       (3) Clinical inflammatory bowel disease research, including 
     clinical studies and treatment trials.
       (4) Other research initiatives identified by the scientific 
     document entitled ``Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel 
     Disease''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out this 
     section, there are authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 
     in fiscal year 2003, $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2004, and 
     such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 
     2006.
       (2) Reservation.--Of the funds authorized to be 
     appropriated under paragraph (1), not more than 20 percent of 
     such funds shall be reserved to fund the training of 
     qualified health professionals in biomedical research focused 
     on inflammatory bowel disease and related disorders.

     SEC. 4. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PREVENTION AND 
                   EPIDEMIOLOGY.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Centers for Disease 
     Control and Prevention shall establish a national program of 
     prevention and epidemiology to determine the prevalence of 
     inflammatory bowel disease in the United States, and conduct 
     public and professional awareness activities on inflammatory 
     bowel disease.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this section, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2003, and such sums as 
     may be necessary for fiscal years 2004 through 2006.

     SEC. 5. STUDY OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE RELATED SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--The Institute of Medicine of the National 
     Academics of Science shall conduct a study on the coverage 
     standards of medicare, medicaid, and the private insurance 
     market for the following therapies:
       (1) Parenteral nutrition.
       (2) Enteral nutrition formula.
       (3) Medically necessary food products.
       (4) Ostomy supplies.
       (5) Therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration 
     for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
       (b) Content.--The study shall also take into account the 
     appropriate outpatient or home health care delivery settings.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Institute of Medicine shall submit 
     a report to Congress describing the findings of the study.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as 
     may be necessary.

     SEC. 6. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL 
                   DISEASE PATIENTS.

       (a) In General.--The General Accounting Office shall 
     conduct a study of the problems patients encounter when 
     applying for disability insurance benefits under title II of 
     the Social Security Act. The study will also include 
     recommendations for improving the application process for 
     inflammatory bowel disease patients.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the General Accounting Office shall 
     submit a report to Congress describing the findings of the 
     study.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as 
     may be necessary.
                                 ______