[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 37 (Monday, March 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS RESEARCH, CURE, AND CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2007

  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support all those in the 
United States battling psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and that is 
why on February 9, 2007 I introduced H.R. 1188, The Psoriasis and 
Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.
  Today as many as seven and a half million Americans are affected by 
psoriasis--a chronic, inflammatory, painful, disfiguring and disabling 
disease for which there are limited treatments and no cure. What's 
worse is that along with living with this disease is that many of these 
patients are still living with the painful stigma that has accompanied 
psoriasis for some many years.
  The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act 
seeks to create a fundamental understanding of where we are as a nation 
in fighting psoriasis and how we can align our resources and focus our 
efforts in combating the disease. The Act calls on the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to convene a summit of researchers, public 
health professionals, representatives of patient advocacy organizations 
and policymakers to review current efforts in psoriasis and psoriatic 
arthritis research, treatment, quality-of-life being conducted by 
federal agencies whose work involves psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis 
and psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis related co-morbidities.
  The Act also commissions the Institute of Medicine to investigate and 
recommend changes to the current ways psoriasis is treated by the 
insurance industry and what treatments are available to patients and 
how effective available care is for patients.
  Finally, the Act directs the Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention to begin to develop a patient registry to collect much-
needed, and highly informative longitudinal data on psoriasis and 
psoriatic arthritis so researchers can begin to understand the long-
term impact of these conditions and evaluate the effects of various 
therapies.
  I would I also like to recognize the work of the National Psoriasis 
Foundation, and their leadership to work with patients and their 
families, doctors and researchers to work toward a better understanding 
of the disease and their commitment to improve the quality of life for 
people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
  This bill is an important move forward to realizing the promise of 
the current research in the field, as well as the creation of 
possibilities for the future.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Psoriasis and 
Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.




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