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The full Senate Appropriations committee, yesterday, approved their version of the Labor HHS Appropriations bill for FY 1999. The $82 Billion spending measure includes a $2 BILLION increase in funds for the NIH which would raise their FY '99 allotment to $15.6 Billion. This request is (as expected) larger and therefore preferable for Parkinson's than is the House version, (H.R. 4274). Also, the Senate language is much stronger than that that accompanies the House bill. The language that accompanies the Senate bill, in my opinion, indicates in very direct terms, the desire of the Senate committee that the Udall act be fully funded. The language for each relevant institute that mentions Parkinson's disease specifically, as well as the Office of the Director, is as follows.... NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Parkinson's disease "The Committee is encouraged by continuing discoveries in the genetics, pathophysiology, and treatment of Parkinson's disease, and continues to seek intensified efforts by NINDS to speed the development of effective therapies for this devastating disorder. The Committee also recognizes the benefits of research breakthroughs in this area on other disorders within the Institute's scope. The Committee acknowledges the 1997 enactment of the Udall Parkinson's Research Act as a timely recognition of the huge potential in this field. The Committee is encouraged by the initial efforts to implement the act's authorization of expanded Parkinson's-focused research. The Committee has provided sufficient funds to increase such intiiatives, in coordination with NIA and other relevant Institutes, in order to carry out the full intent of the act and fully fund its authorization for research focused on Parkinson's disease." NIA (National Institute on Aging) "The Committee recognizes that Parkinson's disease continues to exact a costly toll on the Nation, both in human and financial terms. With the average age of diagnosis of 57 years, the demographic surge known as the baby boomers will vastly increase this problem. The consequences will include not only incalculable human suffering but a further strain on Federal entitlement programs. The Committee is encouraged, however, by continued discoveries in the genetics, pathophysiology and treatment of Parkinson's disease, and by growing opportunities for collaboration with Alzheimer's disease. Given the aging-related impact and the tremendous potential for development of more effective treatments, the Committee has provided sufficient funds for the Institute to develop programs to implement the 1997 Parkinson's Disease Research Act for increases in Parkinson's-focused research, in coordination with the Neurology Institute and other relevant Institutes." NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) "The Committee remains interested in the role of environmental exposures in the cause and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, given the significant and growing body of data linking the two. The Committee recommendation provides sufficient funds to increase the Institute's initiatives in this area, as part of the coordinated expansion of Parkinson's research pursuant to the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act." Office of the Director "In the fiscal year 1998, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act included the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act, which authorized appropriations for research focused on Parkinson's disease. The committee encourages the Director to provide a level of funding for Parkinson's-focused research, and award 10 core center grants consistent with the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act. The Committee further encourages the Director to provide funding for the other provisions of the Udall Act, such as the scientists training program, the national data system of Parkinson's patient population, a clearinghouse, and a national education program. The Committee further encourages the Director to form a coordinating committee to direct both intramural and extramural Parkinson's research, and to include, as a part of this committee, all of the Institutes currently conducting Parkinson's research. The Committee requests that that the NIH report to the Appropriations Committees within 120 days of the enactment of this act on its plans for implementation of the recommendations outlined above." --------------------------------- This bill and the language that accompanies it will now be moved to the floor of the Senate, where it will be subject to amendments, and then voted on. The House has yet to vote on their version of this bill (H.R. 4274). Assuming that both bills are approved by their respective houses, the Conference process will then begin, to work out the differences between the two separate pieces of legislation. As with last year's process, the Conferees will likely be the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairmen, Ranking Minority Members, and members of the House and Senate Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittees. During this process, it will be critical for all of us to contact the conferees and urge them to support the Senate version of the bill during the Conference process. More detailed instructions, and sample letter(s) will follow in an upcoming Call To Action. Bill Turenne, Jr. NPF/ Washington 1-888-331-4673 [log in to unmask]