I was searching the internet Thomas index of the Congressional Record
trying to find the text of the recent Senate hearing where Molly Kondrake
presented the opportunity cost lost by her PD.
 
Instead I found out:
 
1. Last Friday - July 21 the Senate Subcommittee on Health and Environment
   had a hearing on Research Effports with respect to combatting
   Parkinson's Disease and other neurological disorders.
   Rayburn building, room 2133, 9:30 am.
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Could anyone post what happened at that hearing?
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2. Also, I found a month old press release which stated how much
   delaying the onset of PD may save. This presentation probably
   comes from the well organized Alzheimer's PR effort. It shows
   a great payback for Alzheimer's relative to PD. When arguing
   for the Udall bill, I recommend using ROI which shows a much
   higher total payback for PD. Read my comments after the story.
 
   [the file sent back came as:  "Subject : medbrain.txt"]
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 1995                           CONTACT: Michael Townsend
 
INCREASING MEDICAL RESEARCH NOW WILL SAVE BILLIONS
IN HEALTH CARE COSTS DOWN THE ROAD, COHEN SAYS
 
     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Citing Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine as
an example of how medical research can preserve the health of
millions and save billions of dollars, Senator Bill Cohen, R-
Maine, chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, today pushed
for increased research into brain diseases and spinal cord
injuries.
 
     "The major brain diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer's,
Parkinson's and stroke, cost the health care system hundreds of
billions of dollars," said Cohen as he opened a hearing on
medical research.
 
     "We have two choices on how to meet these staggering costs:
We can sit back and simply pay the bills, or we can develop a
national strategy toward preventing, delaying and even curing the
diseases and conditions of aging.  Only by choosing the latter
course do we have any real hope of digging out from under the
avalanche of health care costs that come with aging."
 
     Cohen called the hearing to examine the savings to the
health care system that could be achieved through increased
research.  Among the witnesses were some of the nation's leading
scientists, who discussed the latest research breakthroughs and
what discoveries may be just down the road.
 
     "Delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease for just five
years could save the health care system an estimated $50
billion," said Cohen.  "Staving off strokes for five years could
save another $15 billion and a similar delay in the onset of
Parkinson's could result in $3 billion.  With savings like this <<<--
--------------------------------------
within our grasp, we cannot afford to put the brakes on research
spending."
 
     Cohen said the grim economic forecast for Medicare, which is
projected to be bankrupt in less than seven years, underscores
the need for improved treatments and cures that can reduce costly
hospitalization or nursing home care.  He noted that the burden
on Medicare will increase as the population ages; the current
population of more than 33 million Americans over the age of 65
is expected to more than double in the next 25 years.
 
     "Congress battles over where and what to cut in Medicare and
Medicaid just to stay afloat," he said.  "But we are turning our
backs on the aging population tidal wave that will drown us under
the sheer force of its health care costs if we do not find ways
to lower the cost of care for the aging."
 
     Cohen also said there is a moral obligation to support
research to alleviate the pain and suffering experienced by
families who watch helplessly as loved ones struggle with
devastating diseases or injuries.
 
     Several witnesses testified about their personal or family
experiences, including Benjamin Reeve, whose brother, the actor
Christopher Reeve, suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a fall
from a horse.
 
     "Spinal cord injuries claim more than a quarter million
victims each year, often resulting in years of full-time, highly-
specialized care," Cohen said.  "More than four million other
Americans are currently battling Alzheimer's disease, while
another three million have suffered a stroke that may limit their
ability to move or even speak.  We must renew our commitment now
to find ways to improve these victims' quality of life and
relieve some of the strain on their families."
 
     Cohen said Dr. Salk's discovery of a polio vaccine more than
40 years ago is symbol of the limitless potential of science.
 
     "As the nation mourns the death of Dr. Salk, perhaps the
best tribute we can pay to him and other scientific heroes is to
recognize the importance of investing in medical research.  In
both human and economic terms, we will reap its benefits millions
of times over."
###
..
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COMMENTS
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The onset of PD symptoms is all ready delayed with
Eldepryl, c/l-dopa, etc.  PD has more drug therapy than these other
diseses. So delaying Alz is an achievment for them.
 
There are twice as many Alz as PD
 
In comparing PD to Alz, from their listervs, I observe:
Parkies are more optimistic. You discuss surgery, new drugs, exercise.
Alz. disuss when to go to the nursing home, the caregiver letting go,
Alz. have very little drug news, and no surgery news.
 
Anyway, my favorite argument for the Udall bill is that for
and investment of about $.5 billion, a major breakthough is
projected in 5 years, which could save $6 billion/year --
A 12 FOLD RETURN ON INVESTMENT EACH YEAR -- a 1200% ROI -- a 12x ROI!!
 
I know of no diseae that can boast a 12x ROI per year!!
 
The American Heart Assoc. is the only other disease for which I saw
a good ROI argument. There's is 300%, about 1/4 of PD. But they do more
PR and lobbying. I you find good ROI data on other diseases let me
know. I've seen papers on neo-natal units but not diseases. I've
spoken with the NIH information office, but they are cautious about
ROI projections.
 
Billions are spent on the other diseases, with few researchers
projecting a cure in sight, like the PD researchers. So little
PD, at the bottom of the expenditure barrel has more promise for
a cure and a higher payback.
 
I highly recommend using ROI (Return on Investment) terminology in
bio-medical research, or the NIH budget, when debating increaseing
PD research $. Business people recognize it as the better logic.
 
Business people rank investment opportunities usually with ROI
The most precise form is to estimate the future cash flow, then
amortize that to the present to estimate the net present value
of the investment.
 
I really would like to see a RANK ORDERED ROI of PD and the
major diseases. MBA-types do this all the time.
 
Using the only data I could find so far:
 
                      ROI in Major Disease Research
                      -----------------------------
 Parkinson's Disease  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 1200%
 Heart                XXXXXX 300%
 
 
Discussions with PAN and delegates to the DC Public Policy Forum
resulted in feelings that the current figure for annual cost per
PDer of $6,000 is way too low. The PD cost survey posted in draft
is an effort to find a more precise net present cost estimate for PD.
 
Until that survey can be completed, your own personal costs should
be used when writing congress. Then multiply it by the estimated
1 million PDers out there.
--------------------------------------
OK -- topic open for discussion.....
--------------------------------------
P.S. -- regarding my comments when announcing Chicago Hope --
     I didn't see the first showing. I was parroting comments
     made during the DC Forum against the show. But you did
     post a variety of responses all of which I agreed with.
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