text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Autoimmune Diseases Research 
  and Prevention Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      The Congress finds that--
              (1) The term ``autoimmune disease'' refers to a varied 
          group of more than 80 serious, chronic illnesses that involve 
          the human organ system, the nervous, gastrointestinal and 
          endocrine systems, the skin and other connective tissues, eyes, 
          and blood and blood vessels.
              (2) These diseases include, but are not limited to, 
          Epstein-Barr virus, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, 
          multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's 
          thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and vasculitis syndromes.
              (3) 50 million Americans are afflicted with some form of 
          autoimmune disease.
              (4) 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women, most 
          frequently during but not limited to the childbearing years.
              (5) Taken together, autoimmune diseases represent the 
          fourth largest cause of disability among women in the United 
          States.
              (6) Female-to-male ratios in autoimmune diseases are 
          dramatically skewed toward women, in some cases by ratios as 
          high as 50 to 1.
              (7) Autoimmune diseases remain among the most poorly 
          understood and poorly recognized of any category of illnesses; 
          while science suggest they may have a genetric component, they 
          can cluster in families as different illnesses.
              (8) To help women live longer, healthier lives, more 
          research is needed to shed light on genetic as well as hormonal 
          and environmental risk factors that contribute to the causes of 
          these diseases, as well as providing early diagnosis and 
          treatment.
  
  SEC. 3. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES REGARDING 
                AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES ON WOMEN.
  
      Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
  280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
  section:
  
  ``SEC. 399O. AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES IN WOMEN.
  
      ``(a) Definition.--In this section, an `autoimmune disease' means 
  an illness in which the body's immune system becomes misdirected, 
  attacking the organs it was designed to protect. It includes, but is 
  not limited to, Epstein-Barr virus, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, 
  scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Hashimoto's 
  throiditis, Graves disease, and vasculitis syndromes.
      ``(b) In General.--The Director of the Office on Women's Health in 
  the Department of Health and Human Services shall expand, intensify, 
  and coordinate research and related activities of the Department with 
  respect to autoimmune diseases in women.
      ``(c) Coordination With Other Institutes.--The Director of the 
  Office on Women's Health shall coordinate activities under subsection 
  (b) with other similar activities conducted by the other 
  national research institutes and agencies of the National Institutes of 
  Health to the extent that such Institutes and agencies have 
  responsibilities that are related to autoimmune diseases in women.
      ``(d) Certain Programs.--In carrying out subsection (b), the 
  Director of the Office of Women's Health shall conduct or support 
  research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and develop 
  methods for preventing, autoimmune diseases in women. Activities under 
  such subsection shall include conducting and supporting the following:
              ``(1) Research to determine the prevalence of autoimmune 
          diseases in women, including African American women and other 
          women who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups.
              ``(2) Basic research concerning the etiology and causes of 
          autoimmune diseases in women, including genetic, hormonal, and 
          environmental factors.
              ``(3) Epidemiological studies to address the frequency and 
          natural history of such diseases and the differences among men 
          and women, and among racial and ethnic groups, with respect to 
          such diseases.
              ``(4) The development of safe, efficient, and cost-
          effective diagnostic approaches to evaluating women with 
          suspected autoimmune diseases.
              ``(5) Clinical research for the development and evaluation 
          of new treatments for women, including rehabilitation.
              ``(6) Studies to gain a better understanding of methods of 
          preventing autoimmune diseases in women.
              ``(7) Information and education programs for patients and 
          health care providers on genetic, hormonal, and environmental 
          risk factors associated with autoimmune diseases in women, and 
          on the importance of the prevention or control of such risk 
          factors and timely referral with appropriate diagnosis and 
          treatment. Such programs shall include information and 
          education on the prevalence and nature of autoimmune diseases 
          in women, and on health-related behaviors that can improve 
          certain risk factors.
      ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
  out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
  may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2007. The 
  authorization of appropriations established in the preceding sentence 
  is in addition to any other authorization of appropriation that is 
  available for such purpose.''.
target: Women's Autoimmune Diseases Research and Prevention Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and related activities of the Department with respect to autoimmune diseases in women. Requires such efforts to examine: (1) disease prevalence in women; (2) the etiology and causes of such diseases; (3) epidemiology and gender and ethnic differences; (4) diagnostic approaches; (5) new treatments; and (6) prevention and education programs.
feat_title: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for expanding, intensifying, and coordinating activities of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to autoimmune disease in women.