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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse area republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle says billions are spent each year on research into autoimmune disorders, but often the findings are not shared widely among both professionals and patients.

Buerkle says she is proposing a bill to change all that.

The congresswoman met with advocates from groups representing patients with autoimmune disorders and says there is bipartisan support for her proposal to improve the sharing of the most current research.

“Let's make sure that we assess our national plan to deal with autoimmune diseases and we update it, based on the information. And, most importantly, let's get this information to our health care providers. Let's make sure that our doctors and our hospitals are equipped with and understand the most current research we have as a nation,” Buerkle said.

Buerkle has personal experience in dealing with the impact of autoimmune disease. Her sister, Mary, died from Multiple Sclerosis in the early 1990s.