Pasco Reporter

Washington, DC: U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) are celebrating the passage of their landmark Parkinson’s legislation in the United States Senate. This no-cost legislation aims to unite experts in a public-private partnership to advance a national project for preventing, treating, and ultimately curing Parkinson’s disease.

For Congressman Bilirakis, this fight is personal. He has lost two immediate family members to the disease in the past year, including his brother Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis, who passed away in May after a long battle with Parkinson's. "Today is a great day for Parkinson’s patients and their families," said Congressman Bilirakis. "I will continue this fight in memory of my dear brother, other family members, and on behalf of all Americans who are still struggling with this debilitating disease."

The bill was renamed to honor both Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who is battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Congressman Bilirakis expressed gratitude to Anna Eshoo for suggesting the name change.

The Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act aims to address financial and health burdens on American families while reducing government spending over time. The legislation comes at a crucial time following recent discoveries of a Parkinson’s biomarker that could lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease.

“In Congress, I have made helping those with neurological disorders one of my top priorities for more than a decade,” said Congressman Tonko. “By moving this bill forward, we will make a positive difference, improve lives and even save lives.”

Ted Thompson from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research also voiced support: “With groundbreaking progress made in Parkinson’s research this year — including the discovery of a biomarker — there is no better time to focus our efforts on accelerating science and providing better care.”

The act establishes an Advisory Council comprising federal experts alongside non-federal appointed members such as patient advocates and researchers. This council will provide annual reports to the Department of Health and Human Services and Congress on current efforts related to Parkinson's prevention, treatment, and cure.

Additionally, the National Parkinson’s Project will study other related neurodegenerative diseases like PSP, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, and Lewy Body Disease.