WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, passed the House of Representatives Thursday in a bipartisan vote.
Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) co-sponsored legislation that would unite the federal government on a mission to cure and prevent Parkinson’s disease, alleviate financial and health burdens on Americans families, and reduce government spending over time.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common – and fastest growing – neurological disease globally with nearly 90,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
Congressman Kean recently visited the Parkinson and Movement Disorder Alliance workshop in Westfield.
“I am glad that the House has come together to pass this bipartisan critical legislation aimed at combating Parkinson’s disease,” Kean said. “Far too many families have felt the pain and fear associated with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Today, we take a significant step closer to finding a cure for Parkinson’s once and for all.”
The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act will create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that supports research, care, and services for Parkinson’s, plus caregivers, patients, and other non-federal experts.
Specifically, the council will:
- Ensure coordination among federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease
- Evaluate all current federal programs related to Parkinson’s
- Write a national plan to prevent and cure Parkinson’s, and reduce the financial impact of the disease on patients and the federal government
- Report back to Congress on progress toward the plan’s goals
