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One Done; One To Go DoD program set for 2001, but Congress can still boost NIH support for Parkinson’s. The August congressional recess provides Parkinson’s advocates the chance to directly lobby legislators in support of increased funding for Parkinson’s research. With the exception of the soon to be established Department of Veterans Affairs Parkinson’s Centers, there are two federal agencies funding Parkinson’s disease research: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD). Every year the United States Congress approves legislation setting the next year’s budget for each agency, and in some cases for individual programs within the agencies. The president must sign these bills, called “appropriations bills,” or else they return to Congress for further consideration. Status of DoD Funding On July 27, Congress passed the fiscal year 2001 DoD appropriations bill, which the president is expected to sign into law. The bill includes $15 million for the Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP), which focuses on Parkinson’s disease as a model for studying the relationship between toxic exposures and neurodegenerative conditions. The NETRP helps protect servicemen and women who face increased risks of chemical exposure, and supports critical research into the cause, epidemiology and treatment of Parkinson’s. $15 million for the NETRP is a $5 million increase over fiscal 2000, and the Parkinson’s community should be grateful for the leadership and personal involvement of House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Jerry Lewis (R) of Redlands, California. Along with Lewis, critical support for the program came from Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) and Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI), and the coordinated efforts of the members of the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease. Even with the increase, however, the NETRP remains below its 1997-1999 levels, and current funding is not nearly sufficient to meet the scientific need. As we thank our supporters in Congress (see “Contacting Congress” box) for their efforts, we must also encourage them to do more in the fiscal year 2002 budget, which they will begin working on next Spring. Status of NIH Funding The annual budgets for the National Institutes of Health are contained within the massive Labor, Health & Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill. In addition to setting the funding levels for the individual institutes, the Labor-HHS bill also contains a report from Congress providing further input on how money should be allocated. Though not binding, the “report language” helps prioritize activities and spending within agencies. The Parkinson’s community’s effective 1999 advocacy campaign added report language to the fiscal 2000 Labor-HHS Appropriations Act requesting that NIH develop a five-year Parkinson’s Disease Research Agenda. Delivered in March, the agenda calls for a $71.4 million increase in Parkinson’s-focused research in 2001 – part of a nearly $1 billion increase over five years. Though Congress and the Clinton Administration continue to negotiate portions of the fiscal year 2001 Labor-HHS appropriations bill, it is widely believed that the final version will include a $2.7 billion increase in the overall NIH budget. This means the NIH will have the resources to allocate the additional $71.4 million in Parkinson’s research without having to reduce funding for other disease research. To ensure this happens, the Parkinson’s community must urge every Senator and Representative to actively support the inclusion of report language in the fiscal 2001 Labor-HHS Appropriations Act specifically providing $71.4 million to fund the NIH Parkinson’s Disease Research Agenda. In August Congress takes its annual summer recess and most Members will be in their home states and districts campaigning for the 2000 election. Parkinson’s advocates should use this opportunity to directly lobby legislators and urge them to support strong Parkinson’s report language. How to Deliver Your Message Contact your Representative’s and two Senators’ offices for schedules of their public appearances. Organize as many advocates attending as many appearances as possible, and work to build a positive relationship with your legislators as you deliver the message about Parkinson’s disease and the need to support research funding. You can also invite your legislators or their staff to a support group meeting. Even if it means changing your meeting time or scheduling a special meeting, it is worth the effort to inform and persuade a Member of Congress or key staff person. If a personal meeting is not possible, mailing, faxing and/or emailing letters is a good way to deliver your message. Telephone calls can also be effective, but try to talk directly to the Member or their “health care” staff person rather than just the person who initially answers the phone. Ask to have the health care or other appropriate staff person call you back if they are not immediately available. Always be polite and persistent. Remember, Members of Congress want to be responsive to their constituents – especially in an election year – and your message is very important. Investing a few more minutes in advocacy will mean more dollars invested in research. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research provides materials and advice to assist in your advocacy efforts. Please call (800) 850-4726 with questions and requests. While all Members of Congress are important, it is especially crucial to contact Members that belong to the Appropriations Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittees: House Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee: Porter (R-IL), Chair Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member Young (R-FL) Hoyer (D-MD) Bonilla (R-TX) Pelosi (D-CA) Istook (R-OK) Lowey (D-NY) Miller (R-FL) DeLauro (D-CT) Dickey (R-AR) Jackson (D-IL) Wicker (R-MS) Northup (R-KY) Cunningham (R-CA) Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee: Specter (R-PA), Chair Harkin (D-IA), Ranking Member Cochran (R-MS) Hollings (D-SC) Gorton (R-WA) Inouye (D-HI) Gregg (R-NH) Reid (D-NV) Craig (R-ID) Kohl (D-WI) Hutchison (R-TX) Murray (D-WA) Kyl (R-AZ) Feinstein (D-CA) Contacting Congress By mail: Senator ___________ United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Representative __________ U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 By phone: Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 On the web: www.house.gov www.senate.gov --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? 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