Sen. Norm Coleman co-sponsors Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act
Bill now has bipartisan support in both House and Senate
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 9, 2008)—Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) recently co-sponsored the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act (H.R. 1188/S. 1459, a.k.a. PPARCCA), the first-ever comprehensive psoriasis legislation.
Sen. Coleman's support increases the bill's chances of moving through the legislative process, as it now has Democratic and Republican support in both the House and the Senate.
"With the increase of support in both chambers of Congress, the bill has an even greater chance of passing through the legislative process and becoming a law," said Sheila Rittenberg, senior director of advocacy and external affairs for the National Psoriasis Foundation. "We are thrilled that the urgent need for increased federal investment in psoriasis, which is a painful, serious disease that affects overall health, is resonating with members of Congress."
PPARCCA specifically calls on federal government to expand research, strengthen patient data and discuss issues related to psoriasis, such as access to care for the 7.5 million Americans living with the disease.
Spearheaded by the National Psoriasis Foundation, the bill was first introduced in Feb. 2007 by U.S. Reps. David Wu (D-Ore.-1st), Debbie Wasserman Schutz (D-Fla.-20th) and Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.-6th). Currently, 81 Representatives and 14 Senators support the bill.
The Psoriasis Foundation invites people to join the psoriasis community in the movement to boost research funding toward a cure. To learn more, or to become involved, visit www.psoriasis.org.
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About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that can crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ten percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory disease 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 for millions of Americans 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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