H.R. 2084 would increase awareness of and research on autoimmune diseases, which are a major women's health problem, affect as many as 23.5 million Americans, and encompass more than 100 interrelated diseases, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, polymyositis, pemphigus, myasthenia gravis, Wegener's granulomatosis, psoriasis, celiac disease, autoimmune platelet disorders, scleroderma, alopecia areata, vitiligo, autoimmune thyroid disease, and sarcoidosis.
Detailed Summary
Prevention, Awareness, and Research of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, to award grants for research on environmental triggers that can cause the initiation of autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed individuals.
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to eligible entities to conduct public and professional awareness activities regarding autoimmune diseases. Allows grantees to use grant funds to: (1) promote increased awareness of early intervention and treatment to significantly improve the quality of life for people with autoimmune diseases; (2) target minority communities that may be underserved or disproportionately affected by such diseases; and (3) target women to help reduce the amount of time taken for correct diagnosis of such diseases.
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to: (1) award grants to eligible entities for the education of health care providers on potential links between autoimmune diseases and cognitive and mood disorders, such as depression; and (2) establish an educational loan repayment program for physicians agreeing to conduct research on autoimmune diseases.
Requires the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to: (1) conduct or support research on biomarkers of autoimmune diseases to prevent such diseases and to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of such diseases; and (2) establish a database on such biomarkers.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Points in Favor
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
Christine
May 4, 2009, 3:14pm (report abuse)Please pass this bill. As a well educated Registered Nurse I still see a lack of understanding within even my own healthcare community of autoimmunne diseases. AIDS & Breast Cancer receive so much attention as far as education & research & funding. With the alarming statistics of incidence for autoimmune diseases & having a sibling & now teenage niece suffering from autoimmnune diseases, let's help everyone by passing this bill to stimulate prevention, awareness & research!
Stephanie A
June 6, 2009, 4:51am (report abuse)I am glad someone has noticed something is not right with our countries health. I am only 32 and I have a autoimmune disease..Its sad I went to find supporters for this and there are so few..Why do we have to have such extreme ends for the world to take notice. Just because you dont die from the disease doesnt mean your not sick.
Kristi C.
June 23, 2009, 2:57pm (report abuse)All of my siblings (3) have autoimmune diseases. A very serious non-treatable Crohn's disease and two with Sarcoidosis. Let's find out how to prevent further devastating and debilitating diseases.