DUSTIN WATSON

(H.R.8205) Reauthorization and fully funding of the ACT for ALS (Public Law 117-79) for continued access to promising treatments and research. (S.925/H.R.2036) Credit for Caring Act to provide relief in the form of a new, non-refundable federal tax credit for eligible working family caregivers. (S.1261/H.R.4206) The CONNECT for Health Act to expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare and make it easier for ALS patients to connect with their doctors. (S.3763/H.R.7336) ALS Better Care Act to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for other purposes. (H.R.7779) HEALTHY BRAINS Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program for the conduct and support of research, training, and health information dissemination with respect to environmental risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases, and for other purposes. Regulatory flexibility at FDA for expedited pathways to promising treatments for ALS patients because the standard drug approval process (12-14 years) takes too long for people with rapidly progressive terminal conditions with no substantial therapies.

(S.749 / H.R.1685) Justice for ALS Veterans Act to extend dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of Veterans who die from ALS, regardless of how long the Veteran lived with the disease. (H.R.6001) Veterans with ALS Reporting Act requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report on risk reduction strategies to lower the incidence and prevalence of ALS in veterans.

ALS treatment and research funding within FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill (S.2587) including ACT for ALS and ARPA-H. ALS research funding within the FY26 Defense appropriations bill (S.2572 / H.R.4016)for the Congressional Directed Medical Research Program's ALS Research Program. ALS treatment and research funding for ALS within the FY26 Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill (S.2256 / H.R.4121). ALS treatment and research funding within FY27 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill including ACT for ALS and ARPA-H. ALS research funding within the FY27 Defense appropriations bill for the Congressional Directed Medical Research Program's ALS Research Program. ALS treatment and research funding for ALS within the FY27 Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. ALS treatment and research funding for ALS within the FY27 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

FY26 Defense appropriations bill (S.2572 / H.R.4016) for Congressional Directed Medical Research Program's ALS Research Program. FY27 Defense appropriations bill for Congressional Directed Medical Research Program's ALS Research Program.