IBS Research and Treatment Act
Support the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research and Treatment Act
(April 8, 2008) Last week, 23 individuals representing IFFGD – patients, staff, physicians, nurses and scientists – visited 37 Senate and House congressional offices in Washington, DC on behalf of individuals with IBS and functional bowel disorders. Among the issues discussed, we urged support for a proposed Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research and Treatment Act. The elements of this Act will go far in improving the lives of those with IBS. In addition to expanding the IBS research portfolio at NIH, key elements of the Act include developing centers to conduct research and train health care providers on IBS, and facilitate improved public awareness and professional understanding of IBS.
You can help make this happen. We need congressional support. Your representatives are waiting to hear from you, their constituents, to confirm the need for this legislation.
If you live in one of the following areas, please contact your representatives. Ask them to support the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research and Treatment Act, which was presented to them by IFFGD on April 2, 2008. Confirm the need for improved IBS treatments. Take action.
Your representatives just need to hear from their own constituents that IBS is an important issue. You do not need to discuss the merits of the Act. Just communicate the impact of IBS on your life (or your patients' lives); that you are searching for treatments; that only increased research can discover new answers; and the fact that, as a constituent, you need your legislator to act for you in this matter.
Your representatives welcome hearing from you. If you would rather send an email, go to www.congress.org and enter your zip code. Follow the links to the email pages.
Here is a means to take meaningful action to help improve the lives of everyone affected by IBS. It will only take a few minutes of time to take action, but will have a lasting impact. Please make your voice heard now. Thank you.
(Find additional background information about the Act here)
Arizona
Office of Senator John McCain
ATTN: Talal Mir
202-224-2235
Office of Congressman Harry Mitchell (5th District)
ATTN: Carrie Solomon
202-225-2190
California
Office of Senator Barbara Boxer
ATTN: Carina Armenta
202-224-3553
Florida
Office of Senator Bill Nelson
ATTN: Madeline Otto
202-224-5274
Office of Congressman Cliff Stearns (6th District)
ATTN: Mike Anway
202-225-5744
Georgia
Office of Senator Johnny Isakson
ATTN: Francie Powers
202-224-3643
Office of Senator Saxby Chambliss
ATTN: Robert Bovard
202-224-3521
Office of Congressman Nathan Deal (9th District)
ATTN: John Little
202-225-5211
Illinois
Office of Senator Richard Durbin
ATTN: Nida Shakir
202-224-2152
Office of Senator Barack Obama
ATTN: Lissette Alvarado
202-224-2854
Kentucky
Office of Congressman Edward Whitfield (1st District)
ATTN: Jeff Mortier
202-225-3115
Massachusetts
Office of Senator Edward Kennedy
ATTN: Laura Kwinn
202-224-4543
Office of Senator John Kerry
ATTN: Aaron Jenkins
202-224-2742
Office of Congressman Stephen Lynch (9th District)
ATTN: Peter Sally
202-225-8273
Michigan
Office of Senator Debbie Stabenow
ATTN: Carol Burns
202-224-4822
Office of Congressman John Dingell (15th District)
ATTN: Kim Trzeciak
202-225-4071
Missouri
Office of Senator Christopher Bond
ATTN: Julie Jolly
202-224-5721
Office of Congressman Russ Carnahan (3rd District)
ATTN: Jill Allen Murray
202-225-2671
New York
Office of Senator Charles Schumer
ATTN: Stacey Warady
202-224-6542
Office of Senator Hillary Clinton
ATTN: Kathleen Klink, MD
202-224-4451
Office of Congressman Charles Rangel (15th District)
ATTN: Athena Abdullah
202-225-4365
North Carolina
Office of Senator Elizabeth Dole
ATTN: Casey Murphy
202-224-6342
Office of Senator Richard Burr
ATTN: Jen Rubino
202-224-3154
Office of Congressman David Price (4th District)
ATTN: Teresa Saunders
202-225-1784
Office of Congresswoman Sue Myrick (9th District)
ATTN: Sarah Hale
202-225-1976
Ohio
Office of Senator Sherrod Brown
ATTN: David Mitchell
202-224-2315
Office of Congressman Patrick Tiberi (12th District)
ATTN: Lindsay Vogtsberger
202-225-5355
Office of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (15th District)
ATTN: Lauren Neff
202-225-2015
Pennsylvania
Office of Senator Arlen Specter
Attn: Jesse Brenton
202-224-4254
Office of Congressman Tim Holden (17th District)
ATTN: Courtney Williams
202-225-5546
Office of Congressman Tim Murphy (18th District)
ATTN: Brendan Belair
202-225-2301
Texas
Office of Congressman Michael Burgess (26th District)
ATTN: Josh Martin
202-225-7772
Washington
Office of Senator Patty Murray
ATTN: Stephanie Arnold
202-224-2621
Office of Congressman Jay Inslee (1st District)
ATTN: Nick Shipley
202-225-6311
Wisconsin
Office of Senator Herb Kohl
ATTN: Nicole Brown
202-224-5653
Office of Senator Russ Feingold
ATTN: Trisha Schmidt
202-224-5323
Office of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (2nd District)
ATTN: Elizabeth Pika
202-225-2906
Additional Background Information
It is estimated that between 25 and 45 million Americans suffer with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ranging from experiencing mild inconvenience to severe disability. IBS is one of the most common causes of work absenteeism and compounding this lost productivity, health care costs for IBS are approximately $20 billion annually. In addition to the physical pain and overall discomfort caused by IBS, uncertainty over bowel function can cause individuals to completely withdraw from social settings, and even fear leaving home without knowledge of available toilet facilities.
Despite the prevalence and high costs associated with treating IBS, little is currently known about its underlying causes and explanatory mechanisms. Additionally, a lack of public information coupled with prevailing social attitudes often causes individuals to hide their condition and suffer in silence. Currently, few treatments exist and those available focus on addressing the symptoms of IBS rather than the cause. Furthermore, the lack of clear guidelines for designing IBS treatment protocols at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has industry investing few resources in developing innovative therapies.
To improve the lives of Americans suffering from IBS, the IFFGD is urging members of Congress to champion the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research and Treatment Act.
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research and Treatment Act Seeks To:
- Expand the IBS research portfolio at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and improve coordination of IBS research activities conducted by other entities at the National Institutes of Health.
- Establish a data system to gain a better understanding of patient populations and identify at risk individuals.
- Establish the development and operation of centers to conduct research and training to health care providers on irritable bowel syndrome.
- Establish an IBS information clearinghouse to improve public awareness and professional understanding.
- Provide support for training new investigators who specialize in IBS.
- Facilitate creation and implementation of a guidance document by the FDA for industry regarding the development of IBS treatments, and the consequences of adverse events that may occur during post-market surveillance.