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Thanks Phil for your postings from the Congressional Record. Some more interesting information from the NIH site: The NIH Office of Financial Management provides the text of the Senate and House Appropriations Committee Reports. Parkinson's research funding is addressed under 4 sections - NINDS, Office of the Director, National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS). In all of these reports the wording is much more detailed and stronger than what appeared in the Omnibus Budget Agreement, and also requires the NIH to report back to Congress on it's progress on implementing the Udall Act. Perhaps the final wording was purposely vague, or was a result of the "big rush" to finish the budget? Can these reports provide encouragement, guidance, pressure etc. on the NIH to implement the provisions of the Udall Act? For complete text see: http://www.nih.gov/od/ofm/budget/index.htm You'll find a link to "Side by side Highlights of the FY 1999 House Appropriations Bill Report and Language (H.R. 4274 amd H.Report 105-635) and FY 1999 Senate Appropriations Bill Report and Language (S. 2440 and S. Report 105-300) Some excerpts: Office of the Director: Senate Report: "In 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 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 following in Bold print) The Committee requests that the NIH report to the Appropriations Committees within 120 days of enactment of this act on its plan for implementation of the recommendations outlined above." (p. 142) NINDS: House report - "The Committee recognizes the personal and economic costs resulting from Parkinson's disease and considers research in this area a high priority . . The Committee urges the Institute to intensify its investment in Parkinson's focused research, including its coordination with NIA, NIEHS, and other Institutes. The Committee is encouraged by the initiation of a core center program and urges NINDS to expand the program .. 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 Institute is urged to utilize all other available mechanisms, as appropriate, including requests for applications, program announcements, and extended funding of selected investigators now working in the field, to further implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act. (The following is in Bold Print) The Committee requests NINDS to report on its progress in implementing the Act at its fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing. (p. 74) NINDS Senate Report: "… The committee has provided sufficient funds to increase such initiatives, 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." (p. 100) NIA: House Report: "The Committee urges the Institute to intensify its investment in Parkinson's focused research, including its coordination with NINDS, NIEHS, and other Institutes. The committee requests NIA to report on its collaborative efforts to implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act at its fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing." (p. 86) Senate: ".. 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. (p. 117) NIEHS: House Report: "The Committee recognizes the personal and economic costs resulting from Parkinson's disease and considers research in this area a high priority. The Committee is very encouraged by promising developments in understanding the disorder's cause and pathophysiology, including the relationship between genetic and environmental factors, and that such information is also assisting the development of more effective treatments.. . The Committee urges the Institute to intensify its investment in Parkinson's focused research, including its coordination with NIA, NINDS. The Committee is encourage(s) NIEHS to coordinate its research program in collaboration with the U.S. Army Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Program. The Committee urges the Institute to continue with efforts such as its 1995 workshop on Parkinson's as well as utilize other available mechanisms, as appropriate, including requests for applications, program announcements, and extended funding of selected investigators now working in the field, to further implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinsons Research Act." (p. 85)