WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised the passage of the “Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research & Education (MD CARE) Amendments of 2014,” H.R. 594, by the House of Representatives. The bill is the House version of S. 315, which was introduced by Wicker and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. The Senate bill was passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee last week.

“This is a major step toward improving research and treatment for the 100,000 Americans living with muscular dystrophy,” Wicker said. “I applaud the House for passing this lifesaving bill and urge the Senate to do the same without delay.”

The “MD CARE Act” was originally enacted in 2001 and amended in 2008. The bill supports medical research and public health policies designed to improve the quality of life and boost the life expectancy of children and adults diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. The “MD CARE Amendments of 2014” continue this support and are focused on the most critical needs of doctors, patients, and researchers.