The National Scleroderma Foundation is excited to launch a new tool to make contacting your legislator even easier. See the action alert background information below about our call for legislators to continue to include “scleroderma” in the list of eligible conditions for study in the Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program.
Then, fill in your address and zip code in the form at the bottom of the page. This will identify your Senators and Congressional Representatives and provide a template letter to help you begin your message. Note that a place has been left for you to share the specifics of your journey with scleroderma or how you or someone you care about is affected by scleroderma.
Background
Each year, the United States Senate crafts an annual Department of Defense (DOD) appropriations bill, which includes a list of conditions that are deemed “eligible for study” through the Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). For a condition to be included, Senators need to support the condition and officially ask for its inclusion. Senators have many competing appropriations priorities and for them to support a condition-specific request, they need to be educated and asked to do so by their constituents. (You)
Historically, when scleroderma has been included as a condition eligible for study, the PRMRP has funded over $13 million in meritorious and meaningful scleroderma research projects. In FY 2025, scleroderma researchers recommended funding of $3.3 million through the PRMRP!
In addition, there has been specific support for scleroderma research indicating the effectiveness of our researchers. Research on the underlying mechanisms of scleroderma shows relevance to all fibrosis, which occurs at higher rates among individuals who serve in the military and our veterans. Further, military service-associated environmental triggers, particularly silica, solvent, and radiation exposure, are believed to be linked to the onset of scleroderma in individuals that are genetically predisposed to the condition.
Recently, Congress finalized the DOD appropriations bill for FY 2026 and “scleroderma” was once again included on the list for the PRMRP. However, Senators will now start working on FY 2027 DOD appropriations bill and will be deciding which conditions will be included on the next PRMRP eligible conditions list. We need your advocacy to help ensure that we are included on this list for the upcoming FY 2027 bill as well. At this critical juncture, please reach out to the offices of your Senators and ask that they “support the continued inclusion of scleroderma in the DOD PRMRP’s eligible conditions list in FY 2027.”
Add your address and zip code below to help identify your local legislators. After entering your address, a templated letter will appear for you. Be sure to replace [Tell your scleroderma story in 1 to 2 paragraphs] in the letter with the story of your experience with scleroderma.
Thank you for your ongoing support and advocacy on behalf of the scleroderma community. If you have questions or want to learn more about getting involved, please visit https://scleroderma.org/advocacy or email us at advocacy@scleroderma.org. Please allow up to 72 hours for a response.