[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H9296-H9299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CHRISTOPHER AND DANA REEVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS 
                                  ACT

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further 
consideration of the bill (H.R. 1554) to enhance and further research 
into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life 
for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, and 
for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the 
House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 1554

       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 ``Christopher Reeve Paralysis 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.

                      TITLE I--PARALYSIS RESEARCH

Sec. 101. Expansion and coordination of activities of the National 
              Institutes of Health with respect to research on 
              paralysis.

          TITLE II--PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE

Sec. 201. Expansion and coordination of activities of the National 
              Institutes of Health with respect to research with 
              implications for enhancing daily function for persons 
              with paralysis.

  TITLE III--IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND 
                      OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Sec. 301. Programs to improve quality of life for persons with 
              paralysis and other physical disabilities.

       TITLE IV--ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Sec. 401. Expansion and coordination of activities of the Veterans 
              Health Administration.
Sec. 402. Definitions.

                      TITLE I--PARALYSIS RESEARCH

     SEC. 101. EXPANSION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE 
                   NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO 
                   RESEARCH ON PARALYSIS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Enhanced coordination of activities.--The Director of 
     the National Institutes of Health (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Director'') may expand and coordinate the 
     activities of such Institutes with respect to research on 
     paralysis. In order to further expand upon the activities of 
     this section, the Director may consider the methods outlined 
     in the report under section 2(b) of Public Law 108-427 with 
     respect to spinal cord injury and paralysis research 
     (relating to the Roadmap for Medical Research of the National 
     Institutes of Health).
       (2) Administration of program; collaboration among 
     agencies.--The Director shall carry out this section acting 
     through the Director of the National Institute of 
     Neurological Disorders and Stroke (in this section referred 
     to as the ``Institute'') and in collaboration with any other 
     agencies that the Director determines appropriate.
       (b) Coordination.--
       (1) In general.--The Director may develop mechanisms to 
     coordinate the paralysis research and rehabilitation 
     activities of the agencies of the National Institutes of 
     Health in order to further advance such activities and avoid 
     duplication of activities.
       (2) Report.--Not later than December 1, 2005, the Director 
     shall prepare a report to Congress that provides a 
     description of the paralysis activities of the Institute and 
     strategies for future activities.
       (c) Christopher Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia.--
       (1) In general.--The Director may under subsection (a)(1) 
     make awards of grants to public or nonprofit private entities 
     to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, 
     improving, and providing basic operating support for 
     consortia in paralysis research. The Director shall designate 
     each consortium funded under grants as a Christopher Reeve 
     Paralysis Research Consortium.
       (2) Research.--Each consortium under paragraph (1)--
       (A) may conduct basic and clinical paralysis research;
       (B) may focus on advancing treatments and developing 
     therapies in paralysis research;
       (C) may focus on one or more forms of paralysis that result 
     from central nervous system trauma or stroke;
       (D) may facilitate and enhance the dissemination of 
     clinical and scientific findings; and
       (E) may replicate the findings of consortia members for 
     scientific and translational purposes.

[[Page H9297]]

       (3) Coordination of consortia; reports.--The Director may, 
     as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information 
     among consortia under paragraph (1) and ensure regular 
     communication between members of the consortia, and may 
     require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities 
     of the consortia and the submission of the reports to the 
     Director.
       (4) Organization of consortia.--Each consortium under 
     paragraph (1) may use the facilities of a single lead 
     institution, or be formed from several cooperating 
     institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed 
     by the Director.
       (d) Public Input.--The Director may under subsection (a)(1) 
     provide for a mechanism to educate and disseminate 
     information on the existing and planned programs and research 
     activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect 
     to paralysis and through which the Director can receive 
     comments from the public regarding such programs and 
     activities.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this section, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated in the aggregate $25,000,000 for the fiscal 
     years 2006 through 2009. Amounts appropriated under this 
     subsection are in addition to any other amounts appropriated 
     for such purpose.

          TITLE II--PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE

     SEC. 201. EXPANSION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE 
                   NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO 
                   RESEARCH WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCING DAILY 
                   FUNCTION FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Expansion of activities.--The Director of the National 
     Institutes of Health (in this section referred to as the 
     ``Director'') may expand and coordinate the activities of 
     such Institutes with respect to research with implications 
     for enhancing daily function for people with paralysis.
       (2) Administration of program; collaboration among 
     agencies.--The Director shall carry out this section acting 
     through the Director of the National Institute on Child 
     Health and Human Development and the National Center for 
     Medical Rehabilitation Research and in collaboration with the 
     National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and any other 
     agencies that the Director determines appropriate.
       (b) Paralysis Clinical Trials Networks.--
       (1) In general.--The Director may make awards of grants to 
     public or nonprofit private entities to pay all or part of 
     the costs of planning, establishing, improving, and providing 
     basic operating support to multicenter networks of clinical 
     sites that will collaborate to design clinical rehabilitation 
     intervention protocols and measures of outcomes on one or 
     more forms of paralysis that result from central nervous 
     system trauma, disorders, or stroke, or any combination of 
     such conditions.
       (2) Research.--Each multicenter clinical trial network 
     may--
       (A) focus on areas of key scientific concern, including--
       (i) improving functional mobility;
       (ii) promoting behavioral adaptation to functional losses, 
     especially to prevent secondary complications;
       (iii) assessing the efficacy and outcomes of medical 
     rehabilitation therapies and practices and assisting 
     technologies;
       (iv) developing improved assistive technology to improve 
     function and independence; and
       (v) understanding whole body system responses to physical 
     impairments, disabilities, and societal and functional 
     limitations; and
       (B) replicate the findings of network members for 
     scientific and translation purposes.
       (3) Coordination of clinical trials networks; reports.--The 
     Director may, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of 
     information among networks and ensure regular communication 
     between members of the networks, and may require the periodic 
     preparation of reports on the activities of the networks and 
     submission of reports to the Director.
       (c) Report.--Not later than December 1, 2005, the Director 
     shall submit to the Congress a report that provides a 
     description of research activities with implications for 
     enhancing daily function for persons with paralysis.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this section, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated in the aggregate $25,000,000 for the fiscal 
     years 2006 through 2009. Amounts appropriated under this 
     subsection are in addition to any other amounts appropriated 
     for such purpose.

  TITLE III--IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND 
                      OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

     SEC. 301. PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS 
                   WITH PARALYSIS AND OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     (in this title referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting 
     through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, may study the unique health challenges associated 
     with paralysis and other physical disabilities and carry out 
     projects and interventions to improve the quality of life and 
     long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other 
     physical disabilities. The Secretary may carry out such 
     projects directly and through awards of grants or contracts.
       (b) Certain Activities.--Activities under subsection (a) 
     include--
       (1) the development of a national paralysis and physical 
     disability quality of life action plan, to promote health and 
     wellness in order to enhance full participation, independent 
     living, self-sufficiency and equality of opportunity in 
     partnership with voluntary health agencies focused on 
     paralysis and other physical disabilities, to be carried out 
     in coordination with the State-based Comprehensive Paralysis 
     and Other Physical Disability Quality of Life Program of the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
       (2) support for programs to disseminate information 
     involving care and rehabilitation options and quality of life 
     grant programs supportive of community based programs and 
     support systems for persons with paralysis and other physical 
     disabilities;
       (3) in collaboration with other centers and national 
     voluntary health agencies, establish a hospital-based 
     paralysis registry and conduct relevant population-based 
     research; and
       (4) the development of comprehensive, unique and innovative 
     programs, services, and demonstrations within existing State-
     based disability and health programs of the Centers for 
     Disease Control and Prevention which are designed to support 
     and advance quality of life programs for persons living with 
     paralysis and other physical disabilities focusing on--
       (A) caregiver education;
       (B) physical activity;
       (C) education and awareness programs for health care 
     providers;
       (D) prevention of secondary complications;
       (E) home and community-based interventions;
       (F) coordinating services and removing barriers that 
     prevent full participation and integration into the 
     community; and
       (G) recognizing the unique needs of underserved 
     populations.
       (c) Grants.--The Secretary may award grants in accordance 
     with the following:
       (1) To State and local health and disability agencies for 
     the purpose of--
       (A) establishing paralysis registries for the support of 
     relevant population-based research;
       (B) developing comprehensive paralysis and other physical 
     disability action plans and activities focused on the items 
     listed in subsection (b)(4);
       (C) assisting State-based programs in establishing and 
     implementing partnerships and collaborations that maximize 
     the input and support of people with paralysis and other 
     physical disabilities and their constituent organizations;
       (D) coordinating paralysis and physical disability 
     activities with existing state-based disability and health 
     programs;
       (E) providing education and training opportunities and 
     programs for health professionals and allied caregivers; and
       (F) developing, testing, evaluating, and replicating 
     effective intervention programs to maintain or improve health 
     and quality of life.
       (2) To nonprofit private health and disability 
     organizations for the purpose of--
       (A) disseminating information to the public;
       (B) improving access to services for persons living with 
     paralysis and other physical disabilities and their 
     caregivers;
       (C) testing model intervention programs to improve health 
     and quality of life; and
       (D) coordinating existing services with state-based 
     disability and health programs.
       (d) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall assure 
     that activities under this section are coordinated as 
     appropriate with other agencies of the Public Health Service.
       (e) Report to Congress.--Not later than December 1, 2005, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report 
     describing the results of the evaluation under subsection 
     (a), and as applicable, the strategies developed under such 
     subsection.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this section, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated in the aggregate $25,000,000 for the fiscal 
     years 2006 through 2009.

       TITLE IV--ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

     SEC. 401. EXPANSION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE 
                   VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Enhanced coordination of activities.--The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs may expand and coordinate activities of the 
     Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs with respect to research on paralysis.
       (2) Administration of program.--The Secretary shall carry 
     out this section through the Chief Research and Development 
     Officer of the Administration and in collaboration with the 
     National Institutes of Health and other agencies the 
     Secretary determines appropriate.
       (b) Establishment of Paralysis Research, Education, and 
     Clinical Care.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may establish within the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs centers to be known as 
     Paralysis Research, Education and Clinical Care Centers. Such 
     centers shall be established through the award of grants to 
     Administration medical centers that are affiliated with 
     medical schools or other organizations the Secretary

[[Page H9298]]

     considers appropriate. Such grants may be used to pay all or 
     part of the costs of planning, establishing, improving, and 
     providing basic operating support for such centers.
       (2) Research.--Each center under paragraph (1)--
       (A) may focus on basic biomedical research on the types of 
     paralysis that result from neurologic dysfunction, 
     neurodegeneration, or trauma;
       (B) may focus on clinical science research on the types of 
     paralysis that result from neurologic dysfunction, 
     neurodegeneration, or trauma;
       (C) may focus on rehabilitation research on the types of 
     paralysis that result from neurologic dysfunction, 
     neurodegeneration, or trauma;
       (D) may focus on health services research on the types of 
     paralysis that result from neurologic dysfunction, 
     neurodegeneration, or trauma to improve health outcomes, 
     increase the cost-effectiveness of service, and implement 
     best practices in the treatment of such types of paralysis; 
     and
       (E) may facilitate and enhance the dissemination of 
     scientific findings and evidence-based practices.
       (3) Coordination of centers into consortia.--The Secretary 
     may, as appropriate, provide for the linkage and coordination 
     of information among centers under paragraph (1) in order to 
     create national consortia of centers and to ensure regular 
     communications between members of the centers. Each 
     consortium---
       (A) may expand the capacity of its Administration medical 
     centers to conduct basic, clinical, rehabilitation, and 
     health-sciences research with respect to paralysis by 
     increasing the available research resources;
       (B) may identify gaps in research, clinical service, or 
     implementation strategies;
       (C) may operate as a multidisciplinary research and 
     clinical care team to determine best practices, to develop 
     standards of care, and to establish guidelines for 
     implementation throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs; 
     and
       (D) may use the facilities of a single lead institution, or 
     facilities formed from several cooperating institutions, that 
     meet such requirements as prescribed by the Secretary and--
       (i) may provide core funding that will enhance ongoing 
     research by bringing together paralysis health care and 
     research communities in a manner that will enrich the 
     effectiveness of clinical care, present research and future 
     directions; and
       (ii) may include administrative, research, clinical, 
     educational and implementation cores, other cores may be 
     proposed.
       (4) Coordination of information; reports.--The Secretary 
     may, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of 
     information among centers and consortia under this section 
     and ensure regular communication with respect to the 
     activities of the centers and consortia, and may require the 
     periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the 
     centers and consortia, and require the submission of such 
     reports.
       (c) Establishment of Quality Enhancement Research 
     Initiatives for Paralysis.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to 
     Administration medical centers for the purpose of carrying 
     out projects to translate clinical findings and 
     recommendations with respect to paralysis into evidence-based 
     best practices for use by the Administration. Such projects 
     shall be designated by the Secretary as Quality Enhancement 
     Research Initiative projects (referred to in this subsection 
     as ``QUERI projects'').
       (2) Requirement.--A grant may be made under paragraph (1) 
     to an Administration medical center only if the center is 
     affiliated with a school of medicine or with another entity 
     determined by the Secretary to be appropriate.
       (3) Certain uses of grant.--The activities for which a 
     grant under paragraph (1) may be expended by a QUERI project 
     include the following:
       (A) To pay all or part of the costs of planning, 
     establishing, improving and providing basic operating support 
     for the project.
       (B) To work toward implementing best practices identified 
     under paragraph (1) throughout the Administration through 
     efforts to facilitate comprehensive organizational change, 
     and to evaluate and refine such implementation efforts 
     through the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on 
     critical patient outcomes and system performance.
       (C) To identify high-risk or high-volume primary or 
     secondary consequences of paralysis that results from 
     neurologic dysfunction, neurodegeneration, or trauma.
       (D) To systematically examine quality of care for persons 
     with paralysis from neurologic dysfunction, 
     neurodegeneration, or trauma.
       (E) To define existing practice patterns and outcomes for 
     persons with paralysis throughout the Administration and 
     current variation from best practices both within and outside 
     of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (F) To enhance ongoing research by bringing together 
     paralysis clinical care and health service research 
     communities to identify the health care needs of the 
     paralysis community, examine standard practices, determine 
     best practices and to implement best practices for persons 
     with paralysis and their families.
       (G) To formulate health service research protocols aimed at 
     determining paralysis-care related best practices, closing 
     the gap between current practices in paralysis care in the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, assessing the best practices 
     within and outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 
     developing strategies for the implementation of best 
     practices.
       (H) To implement information, tools, products and other 
     interventions determined to be in the best interest of 
     persons with paralysis (including performance criteria for 
     clinicians and psychosocial interventions for veterans and 
     their families).
       (I) To disseminate findings in scientific peer-reviewed 
     journals and other venues deemed appropriate, such as veteran 
     service organization publications.
       (4) Organization of project.--Each QUERI project may use 
     the facilities of a single lead Administration medical 
     center, or be formed from cooperating such centers that meet 
     such requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary.
       (5) Maintenance of effort.--A grant may be made under 
     paragraph (1) only if, with respect to activities for which 
     the award is authorized to be expended, the applicant for the 
     award agrees to maintain expenditures of non-Federal amounts 
     for such activities at a level that is not less than the 
     level of such expenditures maintained by the applicant for 
     the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year for which the 
     applicant receives such an award.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this section, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated in the aggregate $25,000,000 for fiscal years 
     2006 through 2009. Amounts appropriated under this section 
     are in addition to any other amounts appropriated for such 
     purpose.

     SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this title:
       (1) The term ``Administration'' means the Veterans Health 
     Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs.


 Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Barton of Texas

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 
     Barton of Texas:
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Christopher and Dana Reeve 
     Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis Act''.

     SEC. 2. PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH 
                   PARALYSIS AND OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     (in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting 
     through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, may study the unique health challenges associated 
     with paralysis and other physical disabilities and carry out 
     projects and interventions to improve the quality of life and 
     long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other 
     physical disabilities. The Secretary may carry out such 
     projects directly and through awards of grants or contracts.
       (b) Certain Activities.--Activities under subsection (a) 
     may include--
       (1) the development of a national paralysis and physical 
     disability quality-of-life action plan, to promote health and 
     wellness in order to enhance full participation, independent 
     living, self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity in 
     partnership with voluntary health agencies focused on 
     paralysis and other physical disabilities, to be carried out 
     in coordination with the State-based Comprehensive Paralysis 
     and Other Physical Disability Quality of Life Program of the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
       (2) support for programs to disseminate information 
     involving care and rehabilitation options and quality-of-life 
     grant programs supportive of community-based programs and 
     support systems for persons with paralysis and other physical 
     disabilities;
       (3) in collaboration with other centers and national 
     voluntary health agencies, the establishment of a hospital-
     based registry, and the conduct of relevant population-based 
     research, on motor disability (including paralysis); and
       (4) the development of comprehensive, unique, and 
     innovative programs, services, and demonstrations within 
     existing State-based disability and health programs of the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which are designed 
     to support and advance quality-of-life programs for persons 
     living with paralysis and other physical disabilities 
     focusing on--
       (A) caregiver education;
       (B) physical activity;
       (C) education and awareness programs for health care 
     providers;
       (D) prevention of secondary complications;
       (E) home- and community-based interventions;
       (F) coordination of services and removal of barriers that 
     prevent full participation and integration into the 
     community; and
       (G) recognition of the unique needs of underserved 
     populations.
       (c) Grants.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
     may award grants in accordance with the following:

[[Page H9299]]

       (1) To State and local health and disability agencies for 
     the purpose of--
       (A) establishing paralysis registries for the support of 
     relevant population-based research;
       (B) developing comprehensive paralysis and other physical 
     disability action plans and activities focused on the items 
     listed in subsection (b)(4);
       (C) assisting State-based programs in establishing and 
     implementing partnerships and collaborations that maximize 
     the input and support of people with paralysis and other 
     physical disabilities and their constituent organizations;
       (D) coordinating paralysis and physical disability 
     activities with existing State-based disability and health 
     programs;
       (E) providing education and training opportunities and 
     programs for health professionals and allied caregivers; and
       (F) developing, testing, evaluating, and replicating 
     effective intervention programs to maintain or improve health 
     and quality of life.
       (2) To nonprofit private health and disability 
     organizations for the purpose of--
       (A) disseminating information to the public;
       (B) improving access to services for persons living with 
     paralysis and other physical disabilities and their 
     caregivers;
       (C) testing model intervention programs to improve health 
     and quality of life; and
       (D) coordinating existing services with State-based 
     disability and health programs.
       (d) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall ensure 
     that activities under this section are coordinated as 
     appropriate with other activities of the Public Health 
     Service.
       (e) Report to Congress.--Not later than December 1, 2007, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report 
     describing the results of the study under subsection (a) and, 
     as applicable, the national plan developed under subsection 
     (b)(1).
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of 
     carrying out this section, there is authorized to be 
     appropriated in the aggregate $25,000,000 for the fiscal 
     years 2007 through 2010.

     SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of the Congress that--
       (1) as science and research have advanced, so too has the 
     need to increase strategic planning across the National 
     Institutes of Health to identify research that is important 
     to the advancement of biomedical science; and
       (2) research involving collaboration among the national 
     research institutes and national centers of the National 
     Institutes of Health is crucial for advancing research on 
     paralysis and thereby improving rehabilitation and the 
     quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other 
     physical disabilities.

  Mr. BARTON of Texas (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask 
unanimous consent that the amendment be considered as read and printed 
in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from Texas?
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, reserving an objection at this time, again 
I was going to ask the chairman, the version I have now is December 8 
at 5:25 p.m. Does that include the amendment that the gentleman now 
proposed? Or is this something new?
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Yes.
  Mr. PALLONE. So the amendment that you proposed would be the version 
that I have now for December 8 at 5:25 p.m.?
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Yes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1554, the 
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act, legislation that will enhance 
paralysis research and improve the lives of people suffering from 
mobility impairments caused by disease or accident.
  I first introduced the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act in 2003 after 
meeting with the extraordinary man for whom this bill is named. 
Christopher Reeve told me how dramatically the accident that left him 
paralyzed changed his life and forced him to completely depend on 
others for his everyday needs.
  What impressed me so much about Christopher was not only his strength 
and courage in dealing with what only people similarly situated can 
understand, but his resolve and determination to one day walk again and 
help others who shared his condition. And though Chris never walked 
again before his death, he and his wife Dana, who also has since so 
tragically passed away, pushed to the national forefront the issue of 
the need for better research into paralysis and greater emphasis on 
rehabilitation. This bill is part of their legacy.
  The substitute amendment offered to the bill this evening represents 
a significant step forward in our efforts to find a cure for paralysis 
and mobility impairment. The amendment authorizes grants through the 
Department of Health and Human Services to expand research on 
paralysis, better coordinate that research, and intensify efforts to 
translate clinical research into progress on rehabilitation and 
improving the quality-of-life of people with paralysis and mobility 
impairment.
  The bill will encourage the development of unique programs through 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve the quality 
of life and long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other 
physical disabilities. CDC grants could be used to help states develop 
coordinated services to assist people with paralysis or for non-profit 
organizations to improve access to important services and better 
integrate people with paralysis into society.
  It is my hope that efforts in these areas ultimately will help 
translate clinical research into evidence-based best practices for 
treating paralysis and improving quality-of-life for mobility-impaired 
individuals.
  Finally, the amendment renames the bill the Christopher and Dana 
Reeve Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis Act, to appropriately 
recognize the tireless efforts of both Chris and Dana Reeve, both of 
whom were taken from this Earth much too soon.
  There is no question that this bill is desperately needed. Though 
Christopher Reeve was certainly one of the most vocal and visible 
advocates for people affected by paralysis, he fought for many more who 
shared his condition. And while there are tremendous economic costs 
associated with disability caused by paralysis, we cannot begin to 
measure the impact that this condition has on those living with 
paralysis and on those who love and care for them.
  Before I conclude, I want to thank Energy and Commerce Committee 
Chairman Joe Barton and Health Subcommittee Chairman Nathan Deal, both 
for their willingness to move forward on this bill and for their 
leadership on issues important to so many of us. I am proud to have 
worked with you both for so many years and wish you well as you 
continue your service in Congress.
  I also want to thank full Committee Ranking Member John Dingell, 
Subcommittee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown, and the majority and 
minority committee staffs for their work on this measure, especially 
Randy Pate of the majority staff and Cheryl Jaeger of Majority Whip 
Blunt's staff. I also would be remiss if I did not thank several former 
staffers of mine, Steve Tilton, Jeremy Allen, and Jeanne Haggerty, for 
their previous work on this bill. The work of all of these dedicated 
people has led us to where we are today.
  Mr. Speaker, we clearly need to better focus and enhance our national 
effort to cure paralysis and improve the lives of people who suffer 
from mobility impairment. The passage and enactment of the Christopher 
and Dana Reeve Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis Act will be 
another critical step toward helping millions of Americans walk again, 
and carrying on the fight that Christopher and Dana Reeve fought so 
valiantly. I urge all of our colleagues to support it.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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