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. ----------------------------------------------- Could anyone post what happened at that hearing? ------------------------------------------------ 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"] ---------------------------------- 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." ### .. ---------------------------------- COMMENTS ---------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------- 0===================================================================0 | @..@ A.J. CONOVALOFF | | (----) PSP Support Groups of ARIZONA __o | | ( >__< ) `\<, | | ^^ ~~ ^^ [log in to unmask] . . (*)/`(*) | 0===================================================================0