I have been asked by Mike Claeys of the Parkinson's Action Network pandc@=
erols
.com  (800) 850-4726   to post the following:
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October 24, 1997
Friday Action Update

-Labor/HHS Conference Goes On...And On-

Another week has passed with little perceptible movement on the FY =9298=20
Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill.  Despite meetings=20
scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, the House and Senate=20
Conferees did not come together, instead tentatively scheduling a=20
meeting for the afternoon Tuesday, October 28th.  Based on this week=92s=20
proceedings, however, it is clear the conference schedule is subject to=20
change.

With the Udall bill still under consideration, the Parkinson=92s advocacy=
=20
community is asked to be mindful of the delicate nature of these=20
negotiations.  Advocates residing in the home states and districts of=20
the Udall bill supporters listed below are encouraged to continue=20
delivering messages of support and encouragement.  These favorable=20
Conference Members need to be reminded of the Udall bill=92s importance t=
o=20
their constituents, so that they will work to ensure the bill=92s=20
inclusion in the final Conference Report. =20

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don=92t hesitate=
=20
to consult the Network before you contact any of these Members:

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)                       Senator Arlen Specter=20
(R-PA)
Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC)                          Senator Thad=20
Cochran (R-MS)
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI)                            Senator Slade=20
Gorton (R-WA)
Senator Dale Bumper (D-AR)                              Senator Larry=20
Craig (R-ID)
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)                       Kay Bailey Hutchinson=20
(R-TX)
Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI)
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)

Representative David Obey (D-WI)
Representative Louis Stokes (D-OH)
Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Representative Naney Pelosi (D-CA)
Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY)


-Continuing Resolution Passed-

The House and Senate have both passed another short-term Continuing=20
Resolution (CR), allowing the federal government to function while the=20
Congress continues work on the remaining FY =9298 Appropriations bills. =20
This CR funds government operations through Friday, November 7th.  For=20
the Parkinson=92s community, this means the Labor/HHS Conferees have=20
another two weeks to finish deliberations on their FY =9298 Appropriation=
s=20
bill=97provided another short-term CR is not passed.  Given the level of=20
partisan disagreement surrounding some provisions of the bill (although=20
not necessarily the Udall bill), it is conceivable that the Labor/HHS=20
bill may not be decided until very near the end of the session. =20


-"The Politics of Medicine"-=20

Last weekend=92s debut of the PBS documentary "The Politics of Medicine,"=
=20
produced by noted political journalist Mort Kondracke, has generated=20
tremendous interest and response.  The film gives an unflinching view of=20
the "zero sum game" that goes on among disease groups as they vie for=20
scarce National Institutes of Health research dollars.  In addition, it=20
clearly illustrates the impact effective advocacy campaigns have had on=20
the establishment of research priorities.

There are many areas of the country where the video has not yet aired. =20
The Network has been provided a partial list of broadcast dates and=20
times for various cities, and interested viewers are encouraged to call=20
us at (800) 850-4726.  Of course, the most accurate information on=20
broadcast times can be obtained directly form your local PBS stations. =20

For Network has VHS video copies of "The Politics of Medicine" available=20
to support groups and interested individuals.  While the tapes will be=20
provided free of charge, the Network would appreciate an appropriate=20
donation to cover reproduction and shipping costs.