May 23, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 87 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE MEDICARE IVIG ENHANCEMENT ACT

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                          HON. GEORGE HOLDING

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2019

  Mr. HOLDING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
May as GBS/CIDP Awareness Month. I encourage my colleagues to join me 
in supporting those impacted by CIDP and a related disorder, MMN, by 
cosponsoring H.R. 2905, the Medicare IVIG Enhancement Act.
   Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare 
and debilitating autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral 
nerves. Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) is a related rare disorder in 
which one's nerves are attacked by their own immune system. Both 
conditions have a devastating impact on quality of life and require 
intensive care.
   While CIDP and MMN patients may eventually develop resistance to 
common treatments and therapies, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) 
therapy, a form of plasma therapy, has proven to be a safer and more 
effective alternative for treatment.
   Please join me in supporting the Medicare IVIG Enhancement Act, 
which would provide CIDP and MMN patients the opportunity to receive 
IVIG therapy in their homes, which will improve quality of life for 
patients and caregivers alike.

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