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Utah Parkinson's patient/advocates to meet Congressmen in Washington April 17, 2018, 9:13 amThe 2018 D.C. Parkinson's Policy Forum featured two days of training, followed by one day of advocacy, congressional outreach and education to Members of Congress on Capitol Hill. Patient/Advocates shared stories about the personal impact Parkinson's disease (PD) has made on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Panelists highlighted recent legislative action to increase access to health care services, including the elimination of the Medicare therapy cap, which PD advocates worked for many years to remove. Attendees received tools to develop and hone their skills for effective public policy advocacy. On March 21, delegates met personally with their lawmakers on the Hill to discuss the need for federal funding for research toward a cure for Parkinson's, and on policy support for those living with the disease. "We are honored to attend the 2018 Parkinson's Policy Forum, representing Utah and national Parkinson's community on Capitol Hill on these important issues," said DB Dowden, Group Leader for Utah. "Parkinson's advocates reach out to Senators and Representatives year-round at town halls and local meetings, as well as through email and phone calls. But the chance to come together with hundreds of people like ourselves, share our journey and show our nation's leaders what it means to live with Parkinson's disease is powerful." There is no cure for Parkinson's and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. Federal funding for Parkinson's ongoing research programs is needed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense. The D.C. Parkinson's Policy Forum is an annual event for people with Parkinson's and their families, care partners, and friends who are interested in public policy advocacy. Advocates from nearly all 50 states convene in Washington for educational sessions and meet face-to-face with their Members of Congress and their staff. For more information, contact: duaned2@hotmail.com 801-467-2477; the Michael J. Fox Foundation 212-509-0995; National Parkinson Foundation 800-473-4636. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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