Senate Bills - 110th Congress

S. 1183—The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act

On April 23, 2007, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced S. 1183, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, a bill to enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities, and for other purposes. S. 1183 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION

On July 25, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) reported out by voice vote S. 1183, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill as reported (Titles I and II) would authorize (1) the NIH Director to expand and coordinate NIH paralysis research through the institutes and centers of NIH, including consortia (which would be required to be designated as Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia) focused on basic, translational, or clinical research; and (2) multicenter networks of clinical sites to design clinical rehabilitation protocols on one or more forms of paralysis. Such paralysis research would include paralysis from central nervous system trauma, disorders, or stroke, or any combination of such conditions. Title III would provide an authorization of $25 million for activities of the Secretary, acting through CDC.

On August 3, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) reported (without written report) S. 1183, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, to “enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities.” There has been no similar action for the House companion measures. The bill would amend the PHS Act to permit the NIH Director: (1) acting through the Director, NINDS, to expand and coordinate NIH activities on paralysis research; (2) to award grants to plan, establish, improve, and provide basic operating support for Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia; (3) to educate and disseminate information and receive public comment on NIH programs and research regarding paralysis; (4) acting through the Director, NICHD, and the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, to expand and coordinate NIH research with implications for enhancing daily function for persons with paralysis; and (5) to make grants to plan, establish, improve, and provide basic operating support for multicenter clinical trial networks to design clinical rehabilitation intervention protocols and measures of outcomes on paralysis.