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Because patients go to many different doctors to find a diagnosis, they often are subjected to unecessary, costly, and potentially harmful treatments.
Mr. Speaker, this must change. Doctors, medical professionals, and those who are entering the medical fields must be educated about CFIDS. Delaying diagnosis is not only harmful to the patient, it is not cost effective. Treating individuals early in the disease process offers more promise for return to normal and productive living.
Representative Michael P. Forbes (R) - 1st Congressional District - NY
Mr. speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of this very important special order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
SO WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN!
Well, the next day, Representative Michael Forbes (R) - 1st Congressional District in New York, took to the House floor and made another 5-10 minute speech this time focussing on personal stories of constituents of his that have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. There were NO OTHER SPEECHES as were possible because 5 days were set aside to do so. Representative Peter King (R) - 3rd Congressional District in New York DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY. He still refuses to meet with our organization. He was available to make a speech on that day as members of our association and others were in the House Gallery to watch the speeches, and not 10 minutes before the Special Orders speeches began, he chose to leave.
Some of the content of the speeches are obviously incorrect. THE LONG ISLAND CFIDS ASSOCIATION has personally met with most of the Representatives involved, yet many times we wonder if anybody is really listening.
We urge other support groups, organizations, sufferers, family members and friends to get involved and make your voice heard. Contact your elected representative and tell him/her to increase the amount of money that is allocated for CFIDS research and to use their influence to finally get the name changed from a trivial name to one that defines the illness for what it is. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. (M.E.)
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