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(Washington,
DC) – The Parkinson’s Action
Network (PAN) on Friday applauded unanimous Senate passage of H.R. 6342,
legislation that would permanently authorize and maintain the Parkinson's
Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) within
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The legislation, which passed the House unanimously on Wednesday,
now goes to the President to be signed into law.
“This is a tremendous victory for PAN advocates who have
worked for months to pass the bill and save the PADRECCs,” said Amy L.
Comstock, CEO, PAN. “Passage of this bill also honors the work of
retiring Congressman Lane Evans, a founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional
Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease. The Parkinson’s community joins with our
friends in Congress who applaud Congressman Evans work on behalf of our
community.”
This vital legislation ensures that these centers continue
to provide state-of-the-art clinical care and outreach to the nearly 80,000
veterans with Parkinson’s disease treated by the VA.
PAN learned earlier this year that the
Centers’ existence was in jeopardy — seriously threatening the institutions’
valuable research, education, and clinical care programs that benefit all
Americans affected by Parkinson’s disease. The existing six
Parkinson's disease centers are based at the VA medical centers in Houston, West Los Angeles, Philadelphia,
Portland-Seattle, Richmond and San Francisco.
PAN was pleased to work with the
National MS Society, the American Academy
of Neurology and the
Paralyzed Veterans of America to protect these vital programs.
Founded in 1991, PAN is the unified education and
advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s disease community—over one million Americans and
their families. Through education and interaction with the Parkinson’s community,
scientists, lawmakers, opinion leaders, and the public, PAN fights for a cure
by increasing awareness about Parkinson’s disease and seeks increased federal
support for Parkinson’s research. For more information on the Parkinson’s
Action Network, please visit www.parkinsonsaction.org or call 1-800-850-4726. Media, please contact
Abby Bird, Communications Director: 202-638-4101 x108
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