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Parkinson's Awareness Month

Floor Speech

Date: April 14, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Parkinson's Awareness Month.

People close to me have been impacted by Parkinson's disease. For me, it is personal. I am proud to serve as a cochair of the Parkinson's Caucus. It is just another way that I can get involved.

Sadly, there is no cure for Parkinson's disease. Treatment is available, but it is often costly or marginally effective. This is not acceptable, as far as I am concerned.

People tell me, Just increase funding at NIH. In the early 2000s, we did; we doubled the budget at NIH, but we didn't double the cures. In addition to adequate funding, we need to think critically about structural changes in our healthcare system. We need to rethink what we are doing and how we are doing it. The 21st Century Cures initiative is giving us an opportunity to find new cures and treatments for people living with rare and chronic conditions like Parkinson's disease.

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