The bill was passed by unanimous consent on August 3, 2006.  The bill also would protect the Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence (MSCoEs) at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

PAN has been working to keep these center doors open by supporting enactment of S. 1537, introduced by Sen. Akaka, which would help protect the Parkinson’s VA centers by formally establishing the centers, for the first time, through Congressional action.  On June 22, 2006, VA Committee Chairman Larry E. Craig included S. 1537 as part of his Veterans' Committee “omnibus bill”, S. 2694, the Veterans' Choice of Representation and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2006.

PAN continues to work with our Congressional champions to make sure that the centers continue to provide state-of-the-art clinical care and outreach to our veterans while conducting research that will benefit all Americans with Parkinson’s disease. Our next-step will be working with the House of Representatives and the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease to ensure that the House also passes legislation to protect the Parkinson’s and MS centers so that, ultimately, the President will sign this bill into law.