TALKING POINTS FOR CONGRESSIONAL MEETINGS ON THE "INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT"

1. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. 

2.  As members of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, we are here today to ask for your support of an important piece of legislation that gives hope to patients and families struggling with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

3. Approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer from IBD.  Although the disease can  strike anyone at any stage of life, it disproportionately impacts children and young adults.  30% of all patients are diagnosed in their childhood years.

4. Describe IBD and tell your personal story about living with the disease.

5. H.R. 1113, the "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Enhancement Act" is a bipartisan bill that has been introduced in both the House by Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) and Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE). 

The bill would do the following:

•Expand inflammatory bowel disease research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health with a specific focus on;

A) Pediatric related research.

B) Genetic and environmental research into the cause and progression of IBD.

C) Clinical research, including translational studies and treatment trials.

D) Support for the training of new investigators specializing in IBD.

• Establish a "Pediatric IBD Patient Registry" through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This registry would collect and analyze data on: the incidence and prevalence of the disease in children, genetic and environmental factors associated with pediatric disease, and treatment approaches and outcomes in pediatric patients.

• Require the CDC to develop a "National Inflammatory Bowel Disease Action Plan."  This plan would detail a comprehensive strategy for addressing the burden of IBD in both pediatric and adult populations.  Specifically, the plan would create mechanisms for increasing awareness of IBD and preventing its progression and related complications, such as colorectal cancer.

7. This important legislation holds great promise for IBD patients and their families.

8. Please co-sponsor H.R. 1113, the "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research  Enhancement Act."