SALLIE WEART

Advocating for a ban on Trichloroethylene (TCE) and paraquat. H.R.9233 - The Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research And Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act of 2024 - a bill to create a Centers of Excellence grant program within the National Institute of Health to focus on the intersection between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative disease.

FY 2025 Appropriations bills including funding requests for Parkinson's research within: H.R.8774/ S.4921: The Department of Defense within the FY 2025 Defense Appropriation bill. Funding for the Parkinson's Research Program (PRP) under the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). H.R.9029/S.4942: The National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. Possible funding to implement the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365/ PL 118-66) within LHHS appropriations. H.R.9027/ S.4690: The Food and Drug Administration within the FY 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. H.R.8580/ S.4677: The Department of Veterans Affairs within the FY 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. Support funding for Neurology Centers of Excellence and medical care and research through Veterans Health Administration, including the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers. H.R.9029/S.4942: General advocacy in support of robust non-defense discretionary investments in Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill for FY 2025. Funding for discretionary, non-defense priorities including overall investment in the National Institute of Health, ARPA-H, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bills. Funding for the Parkinson's Research Program (PRP) under the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Increased funding for NIEHS (no bill introduced).

General Education on Parkinson's Risk Factors: Focused on raising awareness about triggers and risks of Parkinson's disease, including exposure to TCE, paraquat, air pollution, and other environmental chemicals. H.R.9233/S. - The HEALTHY BRAINS Act: Draft legislation to create a Centers of Excellence grant program within the National Institutes of Health to focus on the intersection between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases. Supporting FDA Neurology Drug Program Funding: Advocacy for funding through the FY 2025 Agriculture Appropriations bills (H.R. 9027, S. 4690) and the Labor, Health and Human Services FY 2025 Appropriations bill (not yet filed). S.269 - Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA): Legislation focused on protecting children from harmful pesticides, including those linked to Parkinson's. S.806 - The Healthy H2O Act: A bill that addresses concerns about water quality and its effects on health, relevant to Parkinsons disease prevention. Neurodegenerative Disease Center of Excellence: Ongoing development of a legislative proposal to create a center at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to focus on neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsons.

General education on the importance of the Department of Defense medical research programs for military service personnel and Veterans living with Parkinson's disease. H.R.8774/ S.4921: FY25 Defense Appropriations bills to support increased funding for DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Parkinson's Research Program. H.R.542/S.141 - The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act: Increases access to home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and seeks to address VA home health workforce shortages. Inclusion of Parkinson's disease and PD-related diseases as presumptive conditions when military Veterans are exposed to associated toxins. H.R.8580 / S.4677 - FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill: Supports increased funding for the VA's Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center as part of Neurology Centers of Excellence. General education regarding the importance of the Department of Defense medical research programs for military service personnel and Veterans living with Parkinson's disease.

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: A bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinson's disease, as well as patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts, to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities responsible for managing, treating, and curing Parkinson's disease. General Parkinson's Disease Information: Covers symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health, data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities, particularly through the CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). H.R.2630/S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: Requires group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to ensure that individuals living with Parkinson's disease can access treatments safely and efficiently. Establishing Parkinson's Disease ICD-10-CM Codes: Aims to assist in the coordination of care for Parkinson's patients who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather data to study disease progression. S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: A bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: Permanently removes Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms include mental health conditions, and many people with Parkinson's are Medicare beneficiaries who may face barriers due to in-person requirements. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: A bill requiring health insurance plans to apply certain payments, including third-party payments, financial assistance, and product vouchers, toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. This helps Parkinson's patients afford medications for managing symptoms. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: Requires Part D plans to cover all drugs in six protected classes, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. For individuals with Parkinson's disease, these medications are crucial for managing non-motor symptoms such as depression and psychosis. H.R.4752/S.2379 - CHANGE Act of 2023: A bill to improve early screening, detection, and diagnosis of Alzheimer's and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, during Medicare wellness visits. H.R.4942/S.655 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: Reauthorizes the Conrad State 30 program and improves policies to address health care provider shortages, supporting neurological care for Parkinson's patients. H.R.8702/S.4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act: Establishes requirements regarding the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans. H.R.9233/S.- The HEALTHY Brains Act: Draft legislation to create a Centers of Excellence grant program within the National Institutes of Health to focus on the intersection between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases. General Outreach for Establishing an ""Office of Caregiver Health"": Supports the creation of an Office of Caregiver Health within the Department of Health and Human Services to address the needs of caregivers, particularly in relation to Parkinson's disease care.

FY 2025 Appropriations bills including funding requests for Parkinson's research at: The Department of Defense within the FY 2025 Defense Appropriation bill. The National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. The Food and Drug Administration within the FY 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. The Department of Veterans Affairs within the FY 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. Increased funding for NIEHS (no bill introduced). The National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bills. Funding for the Parkison's Research Program (PRP) under the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). FY 2025 Appropriations bills with investments relevant to Parkinson's research, including: The Department of Defense within the FY 2025 Defense Appropriation bill. Support funding for the Parkinson's Research Program (PRP) under the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The Department of Veterans Affairs within the FY 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. Support funding for Neurology Centers of Excellence and medical care and research through Veterans Health Administration. The National Institute of Health, ARPA-H and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. The Food and Drug Administration within the FY 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. General advocacy in support of robust non-defense discretionary investments in Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill for FY 2025.

THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH

THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH

THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH