Spring / Summer 2020 | Policy
13
Girija Muralidhar,
person living with
Parkinson’s and
researcher (center),
met with legislators
on Capitol Hill as part
of the Foundation’s
Researcher Hill Day.
PHOTO BY SCOTT HENRICHSEN
Your voice is critical to
prioritizing Parkinson’s
research in D.C. Contact
your lawmakers today at
advocate.michaeljfox.org.
And even during this extraordinary time,
issues critical to Parkinson’s advocacy
need your voice. In November 2019, MJFF
CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, testified before
a congressional subcommittee against a
policy from the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) that could upend privacy
of clinical trial participants and limit the
types of science used in determining federal
regulations. The EPA has recently proposed
an expanded rule, that further limits the
agency from using the best available research
in their evaluation.
In light of COVID-19, this new EPA rule
is even more relevant. Experts believe the
rule could hamper the agency’s ability to
respond rapidly and thoroughly to crises.
Many research studies on coronavirus could
be ignored in future EPA decision making.
The Foundation has worked in coalition with
public health and scientific groups to oppose
this rule and, as this newsletter went to print,
MJFF submitted public comments and rallied
the community to take action against this rule.
MJFF’s commitment is to keep you informed
of what’s happening in Washington, D.C.
so that critical advances in our mission
move forward. And you, too, can play a role.
November elections are right around the
corner. Now is a good time to research the U.S.
House and Senate candidates in your state
and congressional district. Visit their websites
or contact their campaign offices to find out
if they support funding increases for the
NIH, CDC and the Department of Defense’s
research programs. See where they stand on
issues like research freedom, strengthening
Medicare and banning dangerous pesticides.
This November, you can help influence policy
to benefit everyone touched by Parkinson’s.