[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4335]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPORTING PSORIASIS RESEARCH AND CARE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker. I rise today in support 
of H.R. 1188, the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and 
Care Act, and encourage my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation.
  As many as 7.5 million Americans are affected by psoriasis--a chronic 
inflammatory, painful, disfiguring and disabling disease for which 
there are limited treatments and no cure. Between 10 percent and 30 
percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, 
which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.
  Brian Lehrschall, coleader of the Triangle Psoriasis, Education, 
Advocacy, and Support group in my congressional district, is just one 
of my constituents living with psoriasis. Diagnosed with plaque 
psoriasis at age 13. Brian underwent many courses of treatment to 
address his severe condition, including several different topical 
medications and ultraviolet radiation. Through the years, Brian has 
remained active in his local psoriasis support group and been a staunch 
advocate for the National Psoriasis Foundation's work to increase 
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research.
  H.R. 1188 would direct the National Institutes of Health to expand 
and intensify research and related activities of the Institutes with 
respect to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Specifically, the bill 
would direct the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal 
and Skin Diseases to conduct a number of research activities related to 
psoriasis. The bill also would establish a national psoriasis and 
psoriatic arthritis patient registry through the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention and would direct the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services Secretary to convene a national summit on psoriasis 
and psoriatic arthritis research. Finally, the bill would authorize a 
study by the Institute of Medicine regarding medications and treatments 
for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
  I appreciate the work Brian and his colleagues have done on behalf of 
so many individuals living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and 
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1188, the Psoriasis 
and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act.

                          ____________________