[House Report 107-183]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



107th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    107-183

======================================================================



 
 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.

                                  
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