National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act Of 2010

Floor Speech

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* Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, Rep. Michael Burgess, on this bipartisan legislation and I want to thank him for his leadership on this important issue. I also want to thank Chairman Waxman, Chairman Pallone, Ranking Member Barton, and Ranking Member Shimkus for their support.

* Our staffs have worked long and hard in a bipartisan manner to get to this point today. I particularly want to recognize Ray Thorn on my staff, Anne Morris on the Committee staff, and JP Paluskeiwisc on Rep. Burgess' staff for their work on this legislation.

* While thousands of Americans are affected by Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, or other neurological diseases, very little accurate information exists to assist those who research, treat, and provide care to those suffering from these diseases. Accurate incidence and prevalence information is critical and needed to gain a better understanding of these diseases. This lack of information inhibits research, treatments, programs, and services.

* In 2000, the Pew Environmental Health Commission, recommended that neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis, be tracked by a national data system. Today, we take an important step implementing that recommendation by establishing a national neurological diseases surveillance system at CDC.

* Quite simply, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act will help improve and enhance the infrastructure in tracking the incidence and prevalence on neurological diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. The information collected through this surveillance system will provide a foundation for evaluating and understanding many factors such as geographic clusters of diagnosis, variances in the gender ratio, disease burden, and changes in health care practices.

* Mr. Speaker, this legislation represents an opportunity to move neurological disease research in a meaningful way that aims to improve the lives of all Americans suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, or other neurological diseases.

* I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

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