listmembers,
This is the latest update on appropriations for  parkinson's research
funding from the Parkinson's Action Network as reported by PAN
representatives John Rogers and Laura Eckert on 10/24/01. I apologize for
not posting it sooner - I was haviing some "bad typing days."  Check the
PAN website for further updates: www.parkinsonsaction.org

PAN is particularly happy with the wording of the Senate Appropriations
Committee report which accompanies the Senate version of the FY 2002
Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. John
said it was the strongest language ever in suppport of PD research and
fully funding the Parkinson's Research Agenda. It appears in the section
regarding the Office of the Director of the NIH. The report for the House
version is also good, but thte Senate language is stronger, and PAN is
advocating for the final conference report (compromise between the Senate
and House versions of the spending bill) to retain the language of the
Senate report.

***The continued advocacy of the entire PD community was recognized as
the crucial force behind Congressional support for the Parkinson's
Research Agenda. Keep it up folks!

You can find the complete text of the House and Senate reports, and
updated appropriations information on THOMAS:
http://thomas.loc.gov
Near the bottom of the home page, click on FY2002 Appropriations

Senate Report Language (relevant sections only) Labor - HHS
Appropriations
bill
"Parkinson's disease- In consultation with the extramural research
community,
the NIH has developed a Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda that would
require an estimated $1,000,000,000 increase in funding over 5 years to
carry out. It is the clear intent of the Committee that the NIH seek to
implement this research agenda, and that the Office of the Director
assume
an aggressive leadership role in this effort.
Last year, the Congress strongly urged the NIH to work toward
implementing
Year 1 of the research agenda, which cited the need for a $71,400,000
increase in Parkinson's research funding. The Committee is concerned that
the NIH did not meet that goal. As a consequence, much of the agenda
remains
to be undertaken, and this highly promising field of research is not
moving
ahead as speedily as the Congress intended.
An estimated $143,500,000 increase over the baseline year would be needed
to
implement Year 2 of the research agenda, and the Committee has provided
additional funds for that purpose. In order to ensure full implementation
and funding, the Committee directs the NIH to host a series of consortia
in
collaboration with the Parkinson's research-related Institutes and the
extramural research community by February 15, 2002. The consortia shall
identify, to the full extent of available scientific opportunity, the
research needed to implement the Research Agenda and the funding
mechanism
and dollars necessary for each area. The Committee requests the Director
to
report by March 15, 2002, that the consortia have been held, and on the
specific steps the NIH will take to implement the Research Agenda.
The Committee commends the NIH for encouraging and supporting workshops
and
other collaboration between sectors of the Parkinson's research
community,
including the NIEHS-supported consortia and the NINDS-supported workshop
on
gene therapy, and encourages similar collaborative models. The Committee
also urges the NIH to continue support of the Udall Centers program and
to
continue expansion thereof. "

PAN has sent letters of commendation to all members of the House and
Senate
Labor- HHS Appropriations Committee. They also suggest people send thank
you E-MAILS  to Sens. Specter and Harkin, who were largely responsible
for the favorable langauge. Their email addresses can also be found on
the Thomas web site. DO NOT SEND SNAIL MAIL -- they will not receive it.

Department of Defense Appropriations - the Department of Defense funds
important PD research through its Neurotoxin Exposure , Treatment and
Research Program (NETRP). It's continued funding is very much in jeopardy
right now.

John reported that:
        "a)     House of Representatives: have marked up in the Defense
Subcommittee and were marking up in Full Appropriations Committee on
Thursday.
        b)      Senate has not marked up this bill in the Defense
Subcommittee or the Full Committee.  However, we understand that this
bill
is essentially "written" and that they will be moving forward on this
bill
very soon.
        c)      Action:  Please call your Member of Congress or Senator(s)
and urge them to support the NETRP by appropriating $50 million for
Fiscal
Year 2002 in the Defense Appropriations bill.  Note: Please call the
local offices, as Senate and House offices may still be closed due to
Anthrax
scares."

3)      "PAN Forum 2002 will be held on May 18th - 21st.
        a)      Early Registration: Saturday May 18th
        b)      Day One of Forum: Sunday May 19th
        c)      Day Two of Forum: Monday May 20th
        d)      Day Three of Forum: Tuesday May 21st

4)      Udall Awards Dinner
        a)      Tuesday May 22nd

 PAN will provide additional information on the 2002 forum as we finalize
the agenda."

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