Summary of Legislation

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (CDRPA) was introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 1727) in March 2007 and in the Senate (S.1183) in late April, 2007. The CDRPA is non-controversial and has strong bi-partisan support, led by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and, Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mary Bono (R-CA), Jim Langevin (D-RI), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

The Basics

This bill is primarily about three things: promoting collaborative scientific research, advancing rehabilitation research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis and mobility impairments from any cause -- stroke, ALS, spinal cord injuries, Multiple Sclerosis and others. The CDRPA encourages coordination of research to prevent redundancies and hasten discovery of better treatments and cures and, as importantly, to improve the daily lives today for those living with paralysis.

What Does the Bill Do

The CDRPA has three components that support and enhance paralysis research, rehabilitation, and quality of life programs.

Title I. Paralysis Research
The bill expands research on paralysis at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by establishing the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Consortia. This style of research promotes collaboration - connecting scientists doing similar work in multiple fields to enrich understanding and speed discovery of better treatments and cures.

Title II. Paralysis Rehabilitation and Care
The bill calls for rehabilitation research to advance daily function for people with paralysis including intensive, activity-based research to measure the effectiveness of certain rehabilitative tactics that aim to improve mobility, prevent secondary complications, and develop improved assistive technology.

Title III. Improving Quality of Life for Persons with Paralysis and Other Physical Disabilities
The bill will develop unique programs at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to better the quality of life and long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities. Programs include providing grants to non-profit health and disability organizations to educate the public about paralysis, improve access to services, and integrate life with paralysis into society, as well as coordinate services within each state to assist persons living with paralysis.