U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) testified at an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Down syndrome on Wednesday, saying further research could lead to enhanced treatment for other medical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders and cancer.
Bustos was joined by U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Pete Sessions (R-TX), who have promoted Down syndrome research funding for years.
Michelle Sie Whitten, the president and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, saluted the efforts of all the legislators.
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL)
"Funding for Down syndrome research at the National Institutes of Health unquestionably affects the health of people with Down syndrome," she said, according to a press release.. "This important hearing will explore how current and future Down syndrome research can help people with Down syndrome and lead to life-changing treatments for devastating diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer."
On her website, Bustos said she wants to make sure all Americans have the same opportunities.
“I’m a co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome because I think this is the right thing to do,” Bustos posted. “And while National Institute of Health funding has seen tremendous growth over the last 20 years, the funding for Down syndrome research has remained relatively flat. And we must make solving this challenge a top priority,” she said. “We need more research into Down syndrome, not less.”
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