Demonstrates the Power of Patient Advocacy NEW YORK, NY — Lupus patients will have a new medical research program at work for them in the future if Bill H.R. 1301 passed today by the House of Representatives becomes law. The House approved the Fiscal 2017 Defense Appropriations Conference Report which designates $5 million for new peer-reviewed lupus research under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program operated by the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in Ft.