Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006
VETERANS PROGRAMS EXTENSION ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - December 06, 2006)
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Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease in strong support of H.R. 6342, which will protect the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs.)
As a leader in the Parkinson's community, I commend the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for working to enact legislation that will formally establish the PADRECCs for the first time in statute.
Significant contributions have been made by the Centers in research, education, and clinical care that benefit all Americans impacted by Parkinson's disease.
The PADRECCs have served to elevate the quality, comprehensiveness, and access of care for veteran patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders throughout the Veterans Health Administration.
Through the six regional centers spanning the country and the National VA Parkinson's Disease Consortium, the VA is able to treat more than 79,000 veterans with Parkinson's disease.
The efforts of these Centers are the model of innovation in the delivery of health care and research for chronic, progressive disease in the veteran population.
The Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease 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.
I believe that this bill must be enacted to ensure that the PADRECCs will continue providing valuable services to veteran patients, family members, and the entire Parkinson's disease community.
The original bill to protect the PADRECCs was authored by my fellow Co-Chair of the Congressional Working Group on Parkinson's Disease and friend Congressman LANE EVANS.
As you may know, Congressman EVANS helped to create the PADRECCs.
By working with the former and current VA Administration, Representative EVANS helped to establish these Centers that serve American veterans battling Parkinson's disease.
As a former Marine, Ranking Member on the VA Committee, and person battling Parkinson's disease, Representative LANE EVANS has a strong sense of mission about providing the highest standards of care for both constituencies. I commend the PADRECCs for doing just that.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, our colleague LANE EVANS is officially retiring from the House of Representatives at the conclusion of the 109th Congress due to his struggle with Parkinson's disease.
Congressman EVANS has been a
true champion of veterans and Parkinson's issues on Capitol Hill and great friend to both communities.
As Representative EVANS said in his retirement announcement, ``I believe strongly in serving people and working to make a positive difference in their lives.''
This bill uniquely speaks to the significant contributions Representative EVANS has made in the lives of more than one million Americans living with Parkinson's disease and more than 24.5 million American veterans.
I urge my colleagues to honor LANE EVANS and vote yes on this important bill.
I look forward to enactment of this bill that is so important to all those who struggle with the devastating effects of Parkinson's disease.
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