Washington, D.C. – Rep. Heath Shuler has agreed to cosponsor a bill to boost federal spending and intensify research to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, which affects as many as 7.5 million Americans.
“Even though psoriasis only looks like a skin disease, severe forms have major effects on people’s mental and physical health,” said Rep. Shuler, D-Waynesville. “Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis constitute a significant national health-care issue and deserves more attention by the federal government.”
The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 200, HR 930, would boost federal spending on the disease and coordinate studies on the causes and treatments. The bill also would require a national summit on psoriasis, and create a patient registry to aid in data collection of the disease.
“I am excited to be working with the psoriasis-advocacy community to focus collaborative research on the disease, and make the best use of research and treatment being conducted by both federal scientists and the medical community,” Rep. Shuler said.
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