Pennsylvanians Urge Rep. Murtha To Support MS Research Funding

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 25 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Pennsylvania has a disproportionate number of people living with multiple sclerosis, the fifth-highest of any state. Despite decades of study, the causes of MS are not understood, and there is no cure. But for many Pennsylvanians and people nationwide who live with MS, new research is within reach.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha heads the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which is considering a bill that could move us closer to a world free of MS. Those discussions are happening today.

It would provide a $15 million appropriation for MS research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, administered by the Department of Defense. This program currently provides research funding for other diseases. But it does not yet address multiple sclerosis. Rep. Murtha has the authority to make this MS research a reality.

The appropriation would benefit the increasing numbers of veterans living with MS. More than 25,000 veterans being treated through the Veterans Health Administration live with MS, and more than 5,000 veterans have a diagnosis deemed service-connected.

It is important for the health of all veterans and others who live with MS to investigate this further. With more funding for research, we could further investigate the causes, explore additional treatments and find a cure. For all those who are impacted by this disease, we urge Rep. Murtha to support MS research funding.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org

• Additional
• References
• Citations