On October 19, the House approved, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Con. Res. 271) calling on all Americans to take an “active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis on individuals, their families, and the economy.” Sponsored by Rep. Bob Weygand (D-RI), the resolution commends the work of national and community organizations, as well as health care professionals, and states that the federal government has a responsibility to continue to fund research; to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services; to raise public awareness; and to raise health care professionals’ awareness about treatments.
Speaking in support of the resolution, Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) said, “We recognize that multiple sclerosis is twice as common in women as in men, and while we tend to recognize the importance of fighting this disease for everyone, it is clearly one that poses a problem with women who have been stricken with this disease.”
