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