H.R. 2408 is expected to be considered on the House floor on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, under a suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to pass.  Rep. Capps (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2408 on May 14, 2009, and it was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 

H.R. 2408 would authorize the Director of the National Institutes of Health to expand, intensify, and coordinate the research and training activities with respect to scleroderma.  This would include research on the etiology of scleroderma and development of new treatment options. 

In addition, the bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out an educational campaign to increase public awareness of scleroderma. 

Scleroderma is a chronic, diabling, and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease in which the body’s soft tissues contract and harden due to an overproduction of collagen.

As of publication, the Congressional Budget Office had not released a score of H.R. 2408.   

Member Concerns:

Some members may be concerned that H.R. 2408 creates new authorization and expand a program.