Washington, D.C., December 16. 2014 – Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) will continue to co-chair the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus in the 114th Congress that will begin in January. Led by Rep. Lance and Congressman Joe Crowley (NY-14), the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus is a forum for Members of Congress to voice constituent concerns, collaborate on ideas, facilitate conversations between the medical and patient community and build support for legislation that will improve the lives of people with rare diseases.
“I have a great interest in the work of the Rare Disease Caucus. I am impressed and humbled continually by the tireless advocates and their commitment to those suffering from challenging diseases – many without any treatments or cures. Our job in the Rare Disease Caucus is to help them meet with our Nation’s leaders, question the decision makers in both the public and private sector and connect with the best minds in innovation. I look forward to building on our success in the new Congress,” said Lance.
New Jersey advocate Lisa Schill, a member of RASopathies Network USA, participated in many of the Caucus activities. She added, “30 million Americans are affected by more than 7,000 rare diseases. 95% of them do not have a single FDA approved treatment. We need a Rare Disease Caucus to help streamline the process of drug development by creating incentives for companies, reforming the policies and procedures of the FDA, to result in more efficient production that will save money, time, and most importantly, precious lives. I thank Congressman Lance for his leadership and look forward to continued progress next Congress.”
Lance has vowed to continue championing two causes close to the rare disease community: the Energy and Commerce Committee’s 21st Century Cures Initiative and the MODDERN Cures Act. Lance, a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, has joined in the year-long effort to work to ensure there is no gap between 21st Century science and the Washington regulatory process. This includes supporting better medical research to keep the United States at the global center of biomedical innovation.
New Jersey advocate Lisa Schill, a member of RASopathies Network USA, participated in many of the Caucus activities. She added, “30 million Americans are affected by more than 7,000 rare diseases. 95% of them do not have a single FDA approved treatment. We need a Rare Disease Caucus to help streamline the process of drug development by creating incentives for companies, reforming the policies and procedures of the FDA, to result in more efficient production that will save money, time, and most importantly, precious lives. I thank Congressman Lance for his leadership and look forward to continued progress next Congress.”
Lance has vowed to continue championing two causes close to the rare disease community: the Energy and Commerce Committee’s 21st Century Cures Initiative and the MODDERN Cures Act. Lance, a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, has joined in the year-long effort to work to ensure there is no gap between 21st Century science and the Washington regulatory process. This includes supporting better medical research to keep the United States at the global center of biomedical innovation.
