Pasco Reporter

U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) announced that their landmark Parkinson’s legislation was signed into law today. 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. The Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act also seeks to address the financial and health burdens on American families while reducing 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 annually in the United States. The legislation's advancement coincides with recent research breakthroughs, including the discovery of a Parkinson’s biomarker that could lead to better understanding of the disease.

For Congressman Bilirakis, this initiative is deeply personal as he lost two immediate family members to Parkinson’s in the past year. His brother, Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis, passed away in May 2023 after a long battle with the disease. "Today is a great day for Parkinson’s patients and their families," said Congressman Bilirakis at the bill signing event at the White House. He expressed gratitude to his colleague Anna Eshoo for suggesting renaming the bill in honor of his late brother and also acknowledged Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton for her instrumental support despite battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Congressman Tonko emphasized his long-standing commitment to helping those with neurological disorders: "In Congress, I have made helping those with neurological disorders one of my top priorities for more than a decade." He added that moving this bill forward would make a positive difference and bring much-needed hope to millions of Americans living with Parkinson’s.

Ted Thompson, Senior Vice President of Policy for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, expressed 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 government experts from related agencies alongside non-federal appointed members such as patient advocates, specialist providers, clinicians, and researchers. This council will provide annual reports and recommendations aimed at reducing the burden of Parkinson's on patients and families while improving health outcomes.

The National Plan will also incorporate studies on other neurodegenerative diseases related to Parkinson's, including PSP, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, and Lewy Body Disease.