If passed, the bill would accomplish three major goals for people who suffer from IBD:

1. Increase research on IBD by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) including:
   • The role genetics and the enviroment play in the development of IBD.
   • Clinical studies and treatment trials.
2. Create a national program of prevention and epidemiology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. Study the standards for coverage by disability insurance as well as medicare, medicaid, and private insurance for IBD-related treatments such as:
• Parenteral nutrition.
• Enteral nutrition formula.
• Medically necessary food products.
• Ostomy supplies.
• FDA approved therapies approved for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

     The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) has provided a sample letter in support of S. 2562 that you can use to write to your senators. You can find an address for your senators at http://www.congress.org/ by entering your zip code, or from the alphabetical-by-state list at http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm. CCFA's Washington Representatives Gavin Lindberg asks that you also forward a copy of your letter to his address at:

Gavin Lindberg
Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington
507 Capitol Court, N.E. - Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002