Harry Reid: “I rise today for myself, Mr. Cochran, and our other cosponsors to re-introduce the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act, which…”

“I rise today for myself, Mr. Cochran, and our other cosponsors to re-introduce the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act, which will advance our knowledge of this serious health condition and our ability to treat people suffering from it. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract which represent the major causes of morbidity from digestive illness. Because they behave similarly, these disorders are collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This devastating, yet seldom discussed illness can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, complications related to the disease can include arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, eczema, liver disease, and even colon cancer. We do not know the cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. There is no medical cure. An estimated 1 million Americans, including many children and young adults, suffer from it. In 1990, the total annual medical costs for patients suffering from Crohns Disease and ulcerative colitis amounted to over 1.6 billion dollars. Recent medical breakthroughs, however, are opening up exciting new pathways for research to understand underlying disease mechanisms and to improve therapies for those who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease.”