January 3, 2007
Mrs. selkie
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Dear Mrs. H.
Thank you for contacting me with your story of your struggle with Fibromyalgia. I value your thoughts on how better address the issue for all who suffer from Fibromyalgia.
As a practicing physician, I am sorry to hear of the pain you have endured. In the course of my practice, I have encountered many who have suffered through excruciating pain as you have. During my time in the House of Representatives, I was an original cosponsor of the Pain Relief Promotion Act of 2000, which recognized alleviating pain or discomfort in the usual course of professional practice as a legitimate medical purpose.
Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests heavily in addressing pain and chronic pain research-approximately $223 million this year alone. You may wish to visit NIH's website on Fibromyalgia, which includes many helpful resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fibromyalgia.html. I am hopeful that the quality and quantity of disease research will continue to increase with the recent passage of the Reauthorization of the NIH Act, which included increased authorization levels for critical research. Next year, Congress has authorized a 7% increase in the NIH budget. The legislation also empowers the Director of the NIH to address priorities in disease research and increases transparency so taxpayers know how their research dollars are being spent. I strongly supported the NIH Reauthorization because it addressed the NIH as a whole to ensure that all victims of disease, such as yourself, get the research they need and deserve.
Additionally, I believe that true market reforms are needed in our health care system, and that government over-regulation has caused more problems than solutions. I plan to introduce legislation early next year that will foster market-innovation and access to quality care for all in our health care system. We need a national discussion on how to preserve and improve health care in America. During my time in the Senate, I will champion such improvements.
Thank you again for your message, and if I can be of any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, A
Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
United States Senator
TC: BRB
