For the first time, legislation has been introduced in the United States Congress to steer greater federal resources towards finding a treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The “SMA Treatment Acceleration Act” was introduced in the House of Representatives on August 2, 2007 by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) as H.R. 3334 and companion legislation was introduced in the Senate on September 12, 2007 by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) as S. 2042.

Introduction of these bills is the result of a collaborative effort by the SMA community; the legislation is supported by Families of SMA, the SMA Foundation, Fight SMA, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The SMA Treatment Acceleration Act is designed to aid the work of the investigators, clinicians, and families who have been striving to find a treatment or cure for SMA.  Specifically, it authorizes federal funding to support the efforts of the national non-profit organizations like Families of SMA that are investing substantial private funding into SMA research, clinical trials, and drug development. Passage of this landmark legislation will enable investigators to mount national clinical trials to demonstrate that the potential treatments are safe and effective for SMA patients.

Outreach to Members of Congress by the SMA Community

Families of SMA encourages all of its member families and supporters to contact and continue contacting their Representative and Senators to urge them to cosponsor the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act. An active grassroots campaign is crucial to forging a critical mass of congressional support for the bill and moving it through the legislative process towards passage and enactment into law. Legislation cannot move through Congress unless there is broad demonstrated support from several Members of Congress, and Members of Congress are significantly more willing to cosponsor and support legislation if their constituents are actively lobbying on the bill’s behalf.

You are already making a difference: as a direct result of your calls, emails, and faxes to your Members of Congress support is growing. This can only happen with your help – your Members need to hear from you.

This website contains instructions on how to identify your Members of Congress, tips for contacting them, and a sample letter and talking points. We strongly urge you to take the time to participate in this important grassroots effort and to ask your family and friends to join you.

Contact Families of SMA with Questions

Please do not hesitate to contact Families of SMA if you have any questions about the bill or how to contact your Members of Congress. With your assistance, we can build further support for the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act and begin moving the bills through the legislative process.