[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING MAY AS HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize May as 
Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. In support of those with 
Huntington's Disease and of finding a cure, I have cosponsored H.R. 
678, ``Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2009.'' This bipartisan 
legislation sponsored by Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA-41) would eliminate the 
24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for those suffering 
from Huntington's Disease.
  Huntington's Disease is a progressive degenerative neurological 
disease that causes total mental and physical deterioration in as few 
as 12 years and currently no cure exists. Already 20,000 Americans have 
been diagnosed with Huntington's and 6.5% of the population, or 200,000 
individuals, are at risk for this disease.
  The physical, emotional, and mental alterations a victim of 
Huntington's Disease undergoes are extreme to say the least. Even in 
the initial stages, patients are unable to continue employment and they 
must rely on family care and Social Security Disability Income. A 
similar neurological disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, received a 
waiver for the 24-month waiting period in 2000.
  H.R. 678 would help to alleviate suffering that those diagnosed with 
Huntington's Disease must face every day. Implementing this legislation 
would not only help those diagnosed with Huntington's but also the 
families that have been financially devestated by this degenerative 
disease.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues in Congress and the public at 
large to recognize this important month.

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