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ATTENTION PD COMMUNITY - PARKINSON'S RESEARCH FUNDING IS IN JEOPARDY!! Immediate Action That You Can Take: Call Chairman Specter, Labor HHS Senate Appropriations Subcommittee @ 202-224-4252 Call Chairman Porter, Labor HHS House Appropriations Subcommittee @ 202-225-4835 AND Contact your own US Senators and Representatives. Here are some talking points to bring up in your conversations: · The battle to find a cure for Parkinson’s is winnable! But, in order to do so Congress must commit the necessary resources. · Parkinson’s disease will only be eradicated if the level of funding for research matches the scientific need. · The medical research community believes that Parkinson’s disease can be cured in 5 to 10 years. · Currently the investment in focused Parkinson’s research is insufficient! It is insufficient when compared with other, more visible diseases, and when compared with the potential for a cure. This is UNACCEPTABLE! · We need $75 million for focused Parkinson’s research in the FY2000 budget. · Although the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for FY2000 is likely to be increased, there is absolutely no mention of the $75 million dollars for Parkinson's focused research. · At the September 28th Labor HHS Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) told Michael J. Fox, and the PD Community, that Congress could include $75 million more for Parkinson’s research if funding for the NIH increased by at least $1.3 billion. The House Bill includes a $1.3 billion increase for the NIH, and the Senate Bill includes a $2 billion increase for the NIH. The bills are currently in the process of moving through the House and Senate. · Please be adamant in your request that the Labor HHS Appropriations bill specifies an additional $75 million for Parkinson’s-focused research. · Remind everyone you speak with that the $75 million for Parkinson’s research will help ensure the cure to this debilitating disease. For more information: Check the Parkinson’s Action Network Website at: www.parkinsonsaction.org OR call the Network at 800-850-4726 and ask for Kathy Hayes.