Spring / Summer 2024 | Policy 17
With a total of 407 votes in favor , the U . S . House of Representatives passed the National Plan to End Parkinson ’ s Act with overwhelming bipartisan support .
Rep . Paul Tonko ( D-NY ), the bill ’ s sponsor , described the legislation aimed at ending Parkinson ’ s as a “ dose of hope .”
Bringing together the smartest minds to solve this puzzle — especially those directly impacted by this disease — has always been a top priority at MJFF , and the National Plan offers a unique opportunity to do just that .
Years-long Effort to Ban Toxic Chemicals Linked to Parkinson ’ s Pays Off
MJFF continues to join partners and advocates in calling for the ban of harmful chemicals that increase the risk of developing Parkinson ’ s . In October 2023 — after a decade of advocacy by the PD community and MJFF — the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) proposed a ban on nearly all uses of trichloroethylene ( TCE ), a toxic chemical known to cause serious health issues including a 500 percent increased risk of developing Parkinson ’ s disease .
After proposing the TCE ban , the EPA opened an opportunity for the public to comment on its proposal , during which time MJFF reaffirmed its support of the ban . After evaluating the comments , the EPA is expected to move quickly to finalize the new public health protection .
In related news around environmental risk factors , in late 2022 , the EPA announced that it would reconsider its 2021 reapproval of the use of paraquat , an herbicide that can increase the risk of developing Parkinson ’ s . While more than 70 countries have banned paraquat , it remains one of the most-used herbicides in the United States .
In August 2023 , MJFF , researchers and advocates met with EPA officials to share 90 recent studies and first-hand accounts of the harmful effects of paraquat . In January 2024 , the EPA released an update that said the agency had not yet completed its review of the studies provided to them and had not reached a decision on the use of paraquat . The EPA offered the opportunity for the public to comment on this update , which MJFF and our policy advocates responded to . MJFF will continue to urge the EPA to ban this harmful chemical while they continue to reconsider its use . A decision is expected in January 2025 .
Follow the Foundation ’ s policy and advocacy work at michaeljfox . org / updates-washington .