October 10, 2000

Mr Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 762, the Lupus Research and Care Amendments. I want to commend my good friend and colleague, Representative Carrie Meek for her steadfast advocacy for this excellent legislation. Lupus is a debilitating and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease that disproportionately afflicts women, particularly women of color. Today’s vote brings help and hope to approximately 1.5 million Americans with lupus, and their families.

H.R. 762 accomplishes two goals. Title I recognizes the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) present research activities on the many facets of this disease through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee. It authorizes appropriations to expand and intensify these activities with emphasis on earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and an eventual cure. Epidemiologic studies and education about lupus for the public and health professionals will also be undertaken with funds made available by this bill.

Title II addresses on-going primary care and treatment needs of poor and uninsured individuals with this expensive-to-treat and debilitating disease. It authorizes the Secretary to award care grants to local governments, community hospitals, health centers, and other non-profit health facilities for the provision of out-patient care and a breadth of support services to affected individuals and the family members who are involved in their care. The holistic treatment and support services provided by H.R. 762 will diminish the sense of isolation that is concomitant to chronic illness by weaving a safety-net of services.