Congressman Michael C. Burgess M.D. Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade along with Co-Sponsor Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have introduced the “Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act” (H.R. 292).
The legislation would enable CDC to track the incidence and prevalence of neurological diseases including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. The information collected will provide a better understanding of various aspects of these diseases.
As Congressman Burgess reports, “The geography of diagnoses, variances in gender, disease burden, and changes in healthcare practices among patients is not understood so the ability to use a new surveillance system could lead to better treatments for these diseases”.
“Because no national collecting system exists to gather data on disease and risk, geography and incidence, diet and relapse, we are hampered in our ability to understand these conditions and improve the lives of these patients,” said Burgess. “This bill organizes and analyzes important information that will lead to better treatment and even a cure for neurological diseases which are so misunderstood and yet so prevalent in the U.S.”
The bill has been referred to the House Commerce and Energy Committee. For more information, go to http://thomas.loc.gov.