FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 17, 2016
Contact: Chris Evanson, (202) 868-0261
Grayson Passes Four Amendments;
Increases Medical Research Funding by $11 Million
Increases Medical Research Funding by $11 Million
-Grayson adds additional funding to cancer research and veteran programs-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Alan Grayson (D-FL09) passed four amendments featured in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017, three of which added $11 million to programs funding prostate cancer research, Gulf War Illness research, and a program treating veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
First, Grayson successfully added $5 million to Prostate Cancer Research, resulting in a total funding level of $95 million. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and is the second most common cause of male deaths. This year alone, approximately 181,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and an estimated 26,120 men will die from the cancer.
“The DOD Prostate Cancer Research Program is a unique research program in that it prioritizes research that will lead to the elimination of death from prostate cancer, while enhancing the well-being of men experiencing the impacts of the disease,” said Congressman Alan Grayson.
Second, Grayson added $5 million to the Army’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation program, which funds a program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando that develops and successfully treats veterans with PTSD, and creates best practices in trauma management and therapy protocols.
“The University of Central Florida is devoted to supporting our veterans both academically and holistically,” said Dr. Dan Holsenbeck, UCF senior vice president for university relations. “We appreciate and recognize Representative Grayson’s leadership.”
Third, Grayson increased funding for Gulf War Illness Research by $1 million.
“Veterans of the first Gulf War suffer from persistent symptoms, including chronic headaches, widespread pain, cognitive difficulties, debilitating fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory symptoms, and other abnormalities that are not explained by traditional medicine or psychiatric diagnoses,” said Grayson. “Research shows that as veterans from the first Gulf War are twice as likely to develop Lou Gehrig's disease as their non-deployed peers, and evidence suggests connections to multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Sadly, there are no known treatments for the lifelong pain and affliction that these veterans must endure through this disease.”
Lastly, Grayson passed an amendment that expands the list of parties with whom the federal government is prohibited from contracting, due to serious misconduct on the part of the contractors.
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Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk Counties.
Grayson.House.Gov
