[House Report 107-183]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
107th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 107-183
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EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A NATIONAL REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY (RSD)
AWARENESS MONTH
_______
August 1, 2001.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
_______
Mr. Tauzin, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 61]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 61) expressing support
for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness
Month, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
without amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution
be agreed to.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 1
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 2
Committee Consideration.......................................... 2
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 3
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 3
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 3
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 3
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 3
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 4
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 4
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 4
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 4
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 4
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 5
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H. Con. Res. 61 supports the National Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month. This resolution expresses the
sense of the Congress that all Americans should take an active
role in combating RSD; that organizations which promote
awareness should be applauded for their efforts in combating
this disease; that health care providers should increase
efforts to diagnose RSD; and that the Federal government has a
responsibility to raise awareness about RSD, increase research
funding for RSD, and consider ways to improve access to health
care services for detecting and treating RSD.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy--also known as complex
regional pain syndrome--is a debilitating and painful
progressive disease of the nervous system, afflicting an
estimated 7 million children and adults. RSD can strike at any
age, but is most common between the ages of 40 and 60. It
affects both men and women, but is more frequently seen in
women. Although it can occur at any age, the number of RSD
cases among adolescents and young adults is increasing.
RSD typically results from a simple trauma, infection, or
surgery which damages the nerves of the sympathetic nervous
system--the part of the nervous system responsible for
controlling the diameter of blood vessels. These damaged nerves
send inappropriate signals to the brain, interfering with
normal information about sensations, temperature, and blood
flow. This damage can lead to chronic inflammation, spasms,
burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration of the skin,
muscles, blood vessels and bones. Presently, there is no cure
for RSD, and the current treatments have not changed much in
the last 20 years or longer.
RSD is often misdiagnosed because it remains poorly
understood. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that some
patients improve without treatment. A delay in diagnosis and/or
treatment for this syndrome can result in severe physical and
psychological problems. Early recognition and treatment provide
the greatest opportunity for recovery.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
currently supports and conducts research on the brain and
central nervous system, including research relevant to RSD.
HEARINGS
The Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on H. Con. Res.
61 entitled ``Advancing the Health of the American People:
Addressing Various Public Health Needs'' on June 17, 2001. The
witness testifying on H. Con. Res. 61 was Ms. Debra Lundquist,
Administrative Director, American Society for Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
(CPRS).
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On Wednesday, July 11, 2001, the Subcommittee on Health met
in open markup session and approved H. Con. Res. 61 for Full
Committee consideration, by a voice vote, a quorum being
present. On Wednesday, July 18, 2001, the Full Committee met in
open markup session and ordered H. Con. Res. 61 favorably
reported to the House by unanimous consent, a quorum being
present.
COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto.
There were no record votes taken in connection with ordering H.
Con. Res. 61 reported. A motion by Mr. Tauzin to order H. Con.
Res. 61 reported to the House was agreed to by unanimous
consent.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee held a legislative
hearing and made findings that are reflected in this report.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of H. Con. Res. 61 is to show the support of the
Congress for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Awareness Month.
NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.
Con. Res. 61, a concurrent resolution expressing support for a
National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month,
would result in no new or increased budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, July 30, 2001.
Hon. W.J. ``Billy'' Tauzin,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimates for the following
Concurrent Resolutions approved by the Committee on Energy and
Commerce:
H. Con. Res. 25, expressing the sense of the Congress
regarding tuberous sclerosis;
H. Con. Res. 36, urging increased federal funding for
juvenile (Type I) diabetes research;
H. Con. Res. 61, expressing support for a National
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.
If you wish further details on these estimates, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Charles
Betley.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
H. Con. Res. 61--Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.
H. Con. Res. 61 would express support of the Congress for
efforts to raise public awareness about Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy (RSD) increase funding for research on RSD and
improve access to and quality of health care services for
detecting and treating RSD. CBO estimates that passing H. Con.
Res. 61 would result in no significant cost to the federal
government. The resolution would not affect direct spending or
receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply.
The CBO staff contact is Charles Betley. This estimate was
approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for
Budget Analysis.
federal mandates statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
advisory committee statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
constitutional authority statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the
Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in
Article I, section 8, clause 3, which grants Congress the power
to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several
States, and with the Indian tribes.
applicability to legislative branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
section-by-section analysis of the legislation
H. Con. Res. 61 urges the Congress to encourage all
Americans to take an active role in combating reflex
sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by recognizing its symptoms; raise
awareness about the importance of the early detection and
proper treatment of RSD; work to increase research funding for
RSD; and, to continue to consider ways to improve access to,
and the quality of, health care services for detecting and
treating RSD.
changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported
This legislation does not amend any existing Federal
statute.