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To:[log in to unmask] I read your posting on the PDlist asking what you can do to further the Udall Bill and I have the following suggestion. But first let me say to all those on the list that I'm suprised that there is not morer activity on this list re this legislation. I hope you all are actively writing everyone you can think of to have them inform there legislators of the importance of this legislation. For those of us who have Parkinson's this vould make all the difference as it would increase Federal funding over 6 times in 3 years from $30 million to $200 nilliion. I wish you could have seen the principal Parkinson's researcher I work with at Pitt when I told him of this legislation. His positiion has always been that there is no shortage of avenues which need to be explor ed but only a shortage of funds Lets get this bill passed and cure Parkinsons so we do not have to discuss pallidotomies, Blue glasses, constipation ect. I'd like to see the day soon when we can disband this list becauuse we have cuured Parkinsons. The neurologists think we are close. Let;s get them the money! There seem to be 3 people/organizations actively lobbying Congress for passage of this bill. They are: Joan Samuelson ParkinsonAEs Action Network 822 College Ave. Suite C Santa Rosa, CA 95404 800-850-4726 Paul Smedberg American ParkinsonAEs Disease Association 807 South Alfred St. #2 Alexandra, VA 22314 Joanne Nelson Wellness Interaction Network 6245 Balboa Blvd. Suite 382 Encino, CA 91316 I'm in Pittsburgh and have been very active locally in contacting our legislators. My pitch is two fold: 1) The neurologist seem to agree that we are very close to at least another major breakthrough if not cure. 2) The $200 million cited in the Udall Bill is cost effective as PD is currently estimated to cost $6 billion with a "B" per year. To spend $200 million for 5-7 years to save $6 billion is cost effective. That Americans don't want "slash and burn" budget cutting but rather would be happy if a descriptor such as cost effective were used rather than some of the words currently being used to describe our government. There is a conference May 15-17 in DC aimed at teaching participants how to impact Congress, the White House and NIH on Parkinson's Disease legislation and funding.