Parkinson's Action Network

Progress & Impact

Department of Defense's
Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP)

PAN continues to secure much-needed funding for Parkinson’s disease (PD) research at the Department of Defense. The Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program (NETRP) is a scientific research program, the focus of which is to determine causes of Parkinson's disease and reduce the risk of military exposure to toxins that may cause PD.

Veterans Affairs Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) is a program that PAN strongly supports. PAN successfully enacted legislation to ensure these Centers will continue to provide state-of-the-art clinical care and outreach to veterans with Parkinson’s disease treated by the VA. The hard work of PAN’s advocates, through their communications with Congress, was a major factor in preserving these centers.

National Institutes of Health

NIH (National Institutes of Health) is the largest source of Parkinson’s disease research funding in the world. PAN continues to support meaningful Parkinson’s disease research by working with the NIH and Congress to ensure that the Parkinson’s disease research portfolio at NIH is focused on better treatments and a cure as well as securing much-needed NIH funding for Parkinson’s disease.

PAN Forum

PAN holds an annual Forum in Washington, D.C. to train advocates from across the country to become informed, active, and effective in the fight for a Parkinson's cure. Each year, approximately three hundred advocates participate in the Forum and an additional 250 participate via web cast. Advocates at the Forum conduct more than 200 meetings with Congressional offices.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Because human embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) is critical to advancing understanding of and treatments for Parkinson’s disease, the Parkinson’s community is dedicated to expanding the current federal policy that has limited this research. PAN advocates have been instrumental in the passage of stem cell legislation several times in the House and Senate. They continue to work hard to expand the current policy on ESCR.

PAN Advocacy

PAN has established a national State and Congressional Advocacy Coordinator Program which currently has over 160 grassroots leaders in 41 states.

Engaging Congressional Champions

PAN was a leader in creating the first Bi-Cameral Parkinson’s Disease Caucus. The participation of House and Senate Members keeps PAN’s congressional champions and their staffs informed of the latest developments and legislative needs of the Parkinson’s community and biomedical research. The House formed a congressional working group in 1999. The Senate followed suite in 2003, forming the bipartisan caucus.

Medicare, FDA, and other Health Issues

PAN continues to be a leading voice for patient advocacy in the nation’s capital, working in coalition on important issues such as Medicare drug coverage and reimbursement, as well as faster review by the FDA for innovative therapies and reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA).