While Washington, DC is still evaluating the Congressional changes made by the voters on election day, the good news is that the leading Congressional advocates for psoriasis patients will be returning to the new Congress, although some of the election-produced changes create uncertainty for the psoriasis community.
All four past winners of Psoriasis Cure Now’s Health Care Advocate of the Year honors will be back in Congress in January. Rep. Ralph Regula of Ohio, a 2005 winner who has supported strong language urging the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to invest more resources in psoriasis research, easily won reelection, but will no longer be Chairman of the key House Appropriations Subcommittee that writes the NIH budget. That loss is offset, however, since another 2005 winner, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, won her race and will now be a senior member of the new Majority. Rep. DeLauro has been a powerful voice for psoriasis patients. The third 2005 winner, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, was not up for reelection this year, but will no longer be Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that writes the NIH budget. The Senator is the leading advocate of NIH in Congress, and has backed strong language supporting psoriasis research.
The 2006 Congressional winner, Rep. Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania, was written off by the pundits months ago but in fact won his race, by a single percentage point. (He won by 1%, and 2% of his constituents have psoriasis, but we’re not suggesting anything….) He is the author of the strongest Congressional Resolution in support of psoriasis research.
Anyone reading this who has relationships or ties to any Members of Congress, particularly the incoming members, is urged to contact us so we can make sure these lawmakers understand the importance of increasing psoriasis research. The road to additional treatments and a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis passes through Washington.
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