MDA SEEKS SUPPORT FOR LANDMARK BILLS IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has helped draft and secure sponsorship for groundbreaking legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that could help make potential high-tech treatments for muscular dystrophy a reality.

"The Muscular Dystrophy Association is proud to support this needed legislation. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the many supporters and co-sponsors of these vital measures," said MDA Executive Director and Senior Vice President Robert Ross.

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H.R. 717, the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments of 2001, or the MD-CARE Act, is the House counterpart to S. 805, a Senate bill of the same name. [Documents can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat.] Both request the expansion of existing programs at the National Institutes of Health to provide additional research concerning all forms of muscular dystrophy.

The renewed NIH emphasis on muscular dystrophy research would be a first step toward increased funding. The government support is needed because of the expected high cost of clinical trials of potential treatments in gene therapy, stem cell therapy and other high-tech approaches.

H.R. 717 has 308 co-sponsors, well over half the members. S. 805 currently has 32 co-sponsors in the 100-member Senate.

"It's essential that we rally support for S. 805. MDA urges all who are concerned with improving both length and quality of life for people with muscular dystrophy to contact their U.S. Senators as soon as possible," Ross said.

Find out how you can help support both versions of the MD-CARE Act.