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1. Digestive Disease National Coalition Key Legislative
Priorities - 2009
2.
RESEARCH
3. Emerging Opportunities for Research Funding A new congress, a new administration.
The economic stimulus package.
FY 2009 appropriations.
FY 2010 appropriations.
“Congress must view the economic stimulus funding as a new commitment to research, and continue to provide agencies like NIH with systematic, meaningful funding increases on an annual basis moving forward.”
4. The National Commission on Digestive Diseases (NCDD) The NCDD recently released a comprehensive, long-range research plan entitled, “Opportunities and Challenges in Digestive Disease Research: Recommendations of the NCDD.”
Many members of the DDNC’s diverse coalition served on the Commission and assisted in drafting the research plan.
This plan contains recommendations regarding nearly every digestive ailment and is important to the DDNC’s entire membership.
5. The National Commission on Digestive Diseases (cont.) To advance the NCDD report and ensure that its recommendations are enacted, the DDNC is asking Congress to:
Use all opportunities to raise awareness of this important document.
Urge NIH to identify NCDD initiatives that are well suited to effectively use stimulus funds.
Direct NIDDK to create an advisory body to guide implementation of the plan from start to finish.
Require NIDDK to provide annual updates on the progress of the plan’s implementation.
6.
PATIENT CARE
7. Funding Opportunities to Improve Patient Care The chronic underfunding of the FDA has created numerous impediments to drug development and oversight.
FDA has been receiving meaningful funding increases in recent years.
Significant funding increases must be continued moving forward.
With additional resources, FDA must begin making efforts to better serve patient communities through expedited treatment development and improved oversight.
8. The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Coverage Act (H.R.1189) H.R. 1189 was recently introduced by Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX-12th) and 11 bipartisan cosponsors.
The bill would establish a national colorectal cancer screening program at the CDC and improve treatment options for patients found to have colorectal cancer.
Ask your House Representative to “Please cosponsor the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Coverage Act (H.R. 1189).
9. Compassionate Allowances Process Last year the Social Security Administration (SSA) launched an initiative called the compassionate allowances process to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that they obviously meet the appropriate standards.
Many digestive conditions, such as esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer are part of the initial program.
SSA has stated this initiative will be expanded moving forward, and the DDNC strongly supports expansion.
10.
Prevention and Public Awareness
11. Appropriate Labeling Many digestive disease patients have allergic, autoimmune reactions when they contact certain items.
The FDA and the USDA must improve their labeling of food and drug products so that these patients have adequate information to make healthful decisions regarding what they contact or ingest.
12. The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (H.R. 745) H.R. 745 was introduced by Congresswomen Anna Eshoo (D-CA-14th) and Ginny Brown Waite (R-FL-5th).
This bill would coordinate federal research and treatment resources to improve the 5 year survival rate for pancreatic cancer.
Ask your House Representative to “Please cosponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (H.R. 745).”
13.
Liver Disease
14. Hepatitis Funding The CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis desperately needs additional resources.
Experts estimate that the Division requires $100 million to adequately confront viral hepatitis.
However, the agency currently receives approximately $18 million annually.
As Congress works to craft FY 2010 spending legislation, urge your legislators to support an allocation of $50 million for the Division.
15. The Liver Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 1128) H.R. 1128 was recently introduced by Congressmen Stephen Lynch (D-MA-9th) and Peter King (R-NY-3rd).
This bill would establish the National Center on Liver Disease Research within NIDDK to further coordinate liver disease research efforts.
Ask your House Representative to, “Please cosponsor the Liver Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 1128).
16.
Healthcare
Reform
17. The DDNC’s 3 principles for Healthcare Reform The social security disability waiting period must be systematically phased out to ensure that those patients who are most ill receive quality care and continuous treatment.
Primary prevention and clinical preventative services must receive increased federal support and emphasis to ensure that the incidence of costly, preventable conditions is reduced.
Coverage must be expanded and the physician workforce must be bolstered, particularly in underserved areas, to ensure that every American has access to quality care.
18.
Messages to Remember
19. 1) “Please commit to providing NIH and other federal research entities with meaningful funding increases on an annual basis.”
20. 2) “Please raise awareness of the NCDD’s crucial digestive disease research plan, and urge NIH to implement the Commission’s research recommendations.”
21. 3) “Please be mindful of the DDNC’s 3 principles for healthcare reform, and please support legislative efforts which advance these principles.
22. Question and Answer Session
