A Closer Look

More Vietnam-era Veterans May Qualify for Agent Orange Disability Benefits

More Navy and Coast Guard Ships Added to Veteran's Affairs Vietnam Ship List

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs announced today in a special bulletin that they have updated the list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that operated in Vietnam, adding 47 more vessels and expanding information for others. This list can help Vietnam-era Veterans find out if they qualify for presumption of Agent Orange exposure when seeking VA disability compensation for herbicide-related diseases. More »

CDC Lists Parkinson's as the 14th Leading Cause of Death in America

Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual analysis of mortality data.  The CDC also released data this week showing there was a 4.6% increase in deaths attributable to Parkinson's disease in 2010 (the most recent year for which they have data).  While the media is focusing on the fact that homicide has fallen off the list as a leading cause of death, here at PAN, we are focused on what we can do from a policy perspective to one day have Parkinson's no longer appear on the list. More »

Update: Medicare Therapy Caps Exception Extended to February 29

Last month, we asked you to contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support legislation to repeal the Medicare therapy cap exceptions process.

In 1997, Congress passed legislation that limits, or caps, the total amount of outpatient therapy services a Medicare beneficiary can receive each calendar year.  To mitigate the impact of these caps on the Parkinson’s community and others for whom the annual costs of therapy services often exceeds the annual limit, Congress established an exceptions process.  This process must be reauthorized by Congress each year. More »

Watch the archive: How the FDA Impacts the Parkinson's Community

Watch the Parkinson's Action Network's educational webcast and learn why the Food and Drug Administration is important to the Parkinson's community! This informative webcast provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the FDA, the role it plays in therapy development, and possible areas for needed change and improvement. More »

Reminder:  Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period Closes December 7!

Every year, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to enroll in or change their drug plan.  The Annual Enrollment Period for Part D closes December 7.  If you are interested in enrolling in or changing your Medicare Part D coverage, it is important that you visit Medicare’s Open Enrollment Center before December 7. More »

Join us! Live Webcast December 12 -- How the FDA Impacts the Parkinson's Community

Sign up now for PAN's Webcast and hear from experts about how the Food & Drug Administration's work Impacts the Parkinson's Community.

Join the Parkinson's Action Network and viewers across the country for a live, educational webcast and learn why the Food and Drug Administration is important to the Parkinson's community!  This educational webcast provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the FDA, the role it plays in therapy development, and possible areas for needed change and improvement.
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Super Committee Announcement -- What's Next?

Dear Parkinson's Community,

As you know from media reports, the “Super Committee” has announced it was unable to reach an agreement that would reduce the budget deficit by $1.2 trillion over ten years.  While the impact of this failure on programs that matter to our community will not, technically, be felt until January 2013, the uncertainty generated by this is already causing great concern. More »

FDA Funding for Fiscal Year 2012 Approved

Last week, we provided an update regarding the Super Committee’s struggle to agree to and submit recommendations for deficit reduction by their deadline of Wednesday, November 23.  It is important to note that at the same time the Super Committee is deliberating, Congress continues to consider and approve funding recommendations for the current fiscal year, which began October 1 and runs through September 30, 2012.  Late approval of annual appropriations has become a pattern in recent years.  What follows is the latest news surrounding Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 funding negotiations and anticipated next steps. More »

PAN Rolls Out New, Enhanced Grassroots Advocacy Program

The Parkinson’s Action Network’s (PAN) national network of advocates is the engine that drives us forward in our mission.  PAN advocates across America work in their local communities every day to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and educate their elected officials about the need for strong federal policies and funding for Parkinson’s research and support.  It is the advocates’ passion, dedication, and persistence in fighting for strong federal policy and funding for Parkinson’s research that helps bring about the policies and support we need. More »

Fox Trial Finder Connects Willing Volunteers to Parkinson’s Clinical Trials

Nearly 80 percent of clinical trials face recruitment challenges, significantly increasing costs and delaying progress toward breakthroughs.  The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) has historically worked to enhance recruitment efforts for clinical trials, including being part of the joint organizational effort behind PDtrials.org. More »