[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 40 (Monday, April 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2735-S2736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 420--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT 
 EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AND ACCESS TO CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PSORIASIS 
               AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS SHOULD BE IMPROVED

  Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 420

       Whereas psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are serious, 
     chronic, inflammatory, disfiguring, and life-altering 
     diseases that require sophisticated medical intervention and 
     care;
       Whereas, according to the National Institutes of Health, 
     between 5,800,000 citizens and 7,500,000 citizens of the 
     United States are affected by psoriasis;
       Whereas psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are--
       (1) painful and disabling diseases with no cure; and
       (2) diseases that have a significant and adverse impact on 
     the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with them;
       Whereas studies have indicated that psoriasis may cause as 
     much physical and mental disability as other major diseases, 
     including--

[[Page S2736]]

       (1) cancer;
       (2) arthritis;
       (3) hypertension;
       (4) heart disease;
       (5) diabetes; and
       (6) depression;
       Whereas studies have shown that psoriasis is associated 
     with elevated rates of depression and suicidal ideation;
       Whereas citizens of the United States spend between 
     $2,000,000,000 and $3,000,000,000 to treat psoriasis each 
     year;
       Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic 
     arthritis may help prevent irreversible joint damage;
       Whereas treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis presents 
     a challenge for patients and health care providers because--
       (1) no single treatment works for every patient diagnosed 
     with the disease;
       (2) some treatments lose effectiveness over time; and
       (3) all treatments have the potential to cause a unique set 
     of side effects;
       Whereas, although safer and more effective treatments are 
     now more readily available, many people do not have access to 
     them; and
       Whereas Congress as an institution, and the members of 
     Congress as individuals, are in a unique position to help 
     raise public awareness about the need for increased access to 
     effective treatment options for psoriasis and psoriatic 
     arthritis: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes--
       (A) the need for enhanced public awareness of psoriasis;
       (B) the adverse impact that psoriasis can have on people 
     living with the disease; and
       (C) the importance of an early diagnosis and proper 
     treatment of psoriasis;
       (2) supports the continuing leadership provided by the 
     Director of the National Institutes of Health and the 
     Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and 
     Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases for identifying a cure and 
     developing safer, more effective treatments for psoriasis and 
     psoriatic arthritis; and
       (3) encourages--
       (A) researchers to examine the negative psychological and 
     physical effects of psoriasis to better understand its impact 
     on those who have been diagnosed with the disease; and
       (B) efforts to increase access to treatments and care that 
     individuals living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis 
     need and deserve.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the junior 
Senator from Oregon in submitting this resolution to raise public 
awareness about and encourage medical research on psoriasis and 
psoriatic arthritis. This resolution also promotes greater access to 
care for those suffering from these disorders. It is my hope that 
Congress will continue to aid efforts in the medical community to 
diagnose, treat, and eventually cure this disease.
  Psoriasis is a non-contagious, immune-mediated, lifelong skin 
disorder that has been diagnosed in more than 5 million men, women, and 
children in the United States. The source of psoriasis is believed to 
have a genetic component which triggers a faster growth cycle of skin 
cells that result in build-up; however, the exact cause is unknown.
  Psoriatic arthritis is a condition associated with psoriasis. This 
disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and connective 
tissue, which causes stiffness, pain, swelling, and tenderness of the 
joints and the tissue around them. Without treatment, psoriatic 
arthritis can be potentially disabling and crippling. Approximately 10 
to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
  The National Institutes of Health, NIH, estimates that 5.8-7.5 
million people are living with psoriasis. Each year, the United States 
spends $4.0 billion to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. 
Furthermore, about 56 million hours of work are lost each year by 
people who suffer from psoriasis. The National Institute of Mental 
Health has found that psoriasis can cause as much physical and mental 
disability as other major diseases. Researchers are still searching for 
a cure for psoriasis. In the meantime, we must continue to raise 
awareness, to support research efforts to cure this disease, and to 
treat those living with it.
  I thank my colleagues for supporting this effort.

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