[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7283]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL MS AWARENESS WEEK

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                          HON. MARY JO KILROY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  Mrs. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today during National MS Awareness 
Week to bring attention to a disease that affects an estimated 400,000 
people living in the United States. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic 
disease of the central nervous system that is unpredictable, the 
symptoms of which vary from person to person. Because MS affects 
individuals so differently, it is difficult to make generalizations 
about disability; however, MS is often characterized by tingling, 
numbness, painful sensations, muscle tightness or paralysis. Statistics 
suggest that two out of three people with MS remain able to walk over 
their lifetime, though many require a cane or other assistive device. 
MS is not always easy to diagnose because symptoms come and go but it 
is estimated every week, 200 people in the United States are diagnosed 
with MS.
  I was diagnosed with MS in 2003; I have an intimate understanding 
about how important it is to find a cure for the disease. Research has 
developed ``disease-modifying'' drugs that help lessen the frequency 
and severity of MS attacks, reduce the accumulation of lesions in the 
brain and may slow the progression of disability, but we can do more.
  Health insurance reform is a necessity in this country. Because 
insurance companies ``tier'' medications as a way to cut costs, people 
diagnosed with MS often find their necessary medications financially 
out of reach. Decisions about which medications patients should take 
must be made by doctors, not corporations.
  The National MS Society has been a tireless advocate for health care 
reform and research on behalf of persons living with MS. I would like 
to take a moment to recognize all the work the National MS Society has 
put into combating this disease. Through extensive research, providing 
comprehensive services to people with MS and through their advocacy, 
they have made great strides in raising MS awareness. I congratulate 
them on their hard work.
  Madam Speaker, I know first-hand how important it is to fund medical 
research to find cures for chronic diseases. As individuals and as a 
government, we need to come together and provide the resources 
necessary to create a world free of MS. I encourage all of my 
colleagues to join me in fighting for a cure for MS and other diseases, 
so that all Americans can live fully active, healthy lives.

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