Psoriasis Foundation advances support in Congress for psoriasis research funding
Posted June 10, 2005
Updated June 15, 2005
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Rep. Stephen Lynch
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Rep. Tim Murphy
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With the active support of the psoriasis community, the National Psoriasis Foundation is making significant progress toward increasing federal funding for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research.
Following two National Psoriasis Foundation initiatives—Capitol Hill Day and a national letter-writing campaign—two congressional champions for psoriasis research funding stepped forward. In May, Reps. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., and Tim Murphy, R-Pa., initiated a "Dear Colleague" letter in support of increased psoriasis research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The letter was signed by 25 representatives and sent to the chairman and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. It echoed testimony submitted by the National Psoriasis Foundation to the same subcommittee.
 View the signed "Dear Colleague" letter (96k PDF document)
The Psoriasis Foundation is now awaiting confirmation of language in House and Senate reports supporting increased federal funding of psoriasis research. The reports will accompany the House and Senate versions of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bills for fiscal year 2006. The House report is due to be completed within a week. The Senate will release its version later this summer.
"It is extremely important that we increase funding for research to treat and cure this serious disease," said Congressman Murphy, who co-led the "Dear Colleague" letter with Rep. Lynch.
Lynch concurred. "The keys to beating this debilitating disease are increased research funding, understanding and greater awareness," he said. "The National Psoriasis Foundation has been a tireless advocate in Washington on behalf of Americans with psoriasis and psoriasis-related arthritis. I am honored to join them in their effort to build support on Capitol Hill."
The inclusion of psoriasis-related language in the two reports followed the efforts of volunteers who visited more than 80 congressional offices during the second annual National Psoriasis Foundation Capitol Hill Day and nearly 3,000 psoriasis advocates who contacted their representatives through the National Psoriasis Foundation online action center. Over a short period of time, these concerned citizens rallied to send more than 7,000 e-mails and letters to their representatives and senators.
In August, which is Psoriasis Awareness Month, the Psoriasis Foundation will hold its first annual Local Lobby Week. During the week of Aug. 15, hundreds of people across the country are expected to visit the district offices of their senators and representatives, educating them about psoriasis and the importance of research. Another component of Psoriasis Awareness Month is the National Psoriasis Foundation® 2005 National Conference, Aug. 5-7 in Boston, Mass., which will feature advocacy training sessions.
The National Psoriasis Foundation extends its appreciation to the 25 representatives who demonstrated their commitment to federal funding of psoriasis research by signing on to the "Dear Colleague" letter:
Michael Capuano, D-Mass.; Donna Christensen, D-Virgin Islands; Tom Davis,
R-Va.; Bob Filner, D-Calif.; Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Jim Gerlach, R-Pa.;
Gene Green, D-Texas; Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y.; Darlene Hooley, D-Ore.;
Steve Israel, D-N.Y.; Dale Kildee, D-Mich.; Barbara Lee, D-Calif.; Sheila
Jackson Lee, D-Texas; Stephen Lynch, D-Mass.; Jim Marshall, D-Ga.;
Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y.; James McGovern, D-Mass.; John McHugh, R-N.Y.;
Michael McNulty, D-N.Y.; Tim Murphy, R-Pa.; Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-
D.C.; Ron Paul, R-Texas; David Price, D-N.C.; Henry Waxman, D-Calif.;
Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common, noncontagious, genetic skin disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. Ten percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children. There is no cure yet for this lifelong disease.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading patient-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and their families. We focus on education, advocacy and research toward better treatments and a cure. For more information, please call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800-723-9166 or visit www.psoriasis.org
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