Parkinson’s Resource Organization Applauds Senate Passage of National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act

Bill is inspired by Rep. Jennifer Wexton, with whom PRO’s Executive Director has a unique connection

Indian Wells, CA ~ May 24, 2024 – Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) applauds the passage of the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act (H.R. 2365/S.1064) in the U.S. Senate. First introduced in 2022, the first-of-its-kind legislation focused on curing and preventing Parkinson’s disease will direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to set up a National Parkinson’s Project tasked with developing a plan to address Parkinson’s and related conditions, determine the scope of research needs, and develop an advisory council that reports to Congress. 

“This was a major bipartisan effort to address one of our most pressing health care issues – the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition in the world,” says PRO Executive Director Eileen Lynch. “I applaud the U.S. House and Senate for working quickly to pass this bill and I’m hopeful the Act will direct urgently-needed funding to research and patient care while addressing some of the health disparities that affect our Parkinson’s community right here in Coachella Valley.”

The bill was inspired in part by Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) who announced her own Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2022 and chose not to run for reelection after her diagnosis was upgraded to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP), an aggressive Parkinsonism. 

“This is a sobering full-circle moment,” says Lynch, “because ten years ago I worked for Representative Wexton on her first successful campaign for public office. From there, my path took me to healthcare policy and into the Parkinson’s world. To see the End Parkinson’s Act passed in part due to Rep. Wexton’s public battle with PSP is the definition of bittersweet.” 

The bill is expected to be signed into law shortly. Modeled after the National Alzheimer’s Project, it has the goal of: 

• Increasing federal research funding to prevent and cure Parkinson’s 
• Developing standards and measures to track cases of and prevent Parkinson’s
• Improving early diagnosis and increase public awareness of Parkinson’s
• Addressing health disparities in diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s

About Parkinson’s Resource Organization: Since 1990, Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for families and individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease through education, support, and practical resources. Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world and outpaces other age-related illnesses in diagnosis. PRO is working so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s. To learn more about Parkinson’s Resource Organization, contact PRO at (760) 773-5628 or info@parkinsonsresource.org. Parkinson’s Resource Organization is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity 501(c)(3) tax ID: #95-4304276.