18 Fox Focus | Policy
Shaping Parkinson’ s Policy: Our 2025 Priorities
By Brenna Callahan
IN 2024, the National Plan to End Parkinson’ s Act became a federal law, dozens of states passed legislation to support the Parkinson’ s community, and our nationwide policy network grew to more than 126,000 advocates.
These history-making milestones highlight a central belief at The Michael J. Fox Foundation( MJFF): Government partnership opens new doors to critically needed scientific breakthroughs and better patient care. That’ s why we convene advocates and partner organizations— including the 29 national and local PD organizations on the MJFF-created Unified Parkinson’ s Advocacy Council( UPAC)— to build relationships with policymakers and encourage them to join our mission to end Parkinson’ s.
Together, we create and expand opportunities for government partnership in three priority areas: the National Parkinson’ s Project, environmental advocacy and public sector research funding.
Ensuring Effective Implementation of the National Plan to End Parkinson’ s Act
The National Plan to End Parkinson’ s Act tasks the U. S. Department of Health and Human
Services( HHS) with developing the National Parkinson’ s Project. The ultimate goal? Adopting a whole-of-government approach to speed treatments and cures, reduce the financial burden and prevent Parkinson’ s disease altogether. HHS’ s first step is appointing a public – private advisory council to drive this critical initiative forward.
After receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January, Michael J. Fox pledged that MJFF will support the National Parkinson’ s Project however we can to help it meet its tremendous potential.( Turn to page 20 for more on this honor.)
Eliminating Environmental Risk Factors
MJFF continues to call for stricter regulations on dangerous chemicals linked to Parkinson’ s. In December 2024, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) announced a ban of the solvent TCE subject to congressional review.( At the time of this writing, this rule is set to take effect on June 20, 2025.)
In coalition with our advocate network and the UPAC, MJFF continues to urge the U. S. to join the growing international effort to protect brain health by banning the herbicide paraquat. Our persistent advocacy is more important than ever as the EPA again delayed a paraquat decision this year.
MJFF is also advocating for the reintroduction of the HEALTHY BRAINS Act, a bipartisan bill that would require the federal government to study environmental risks for neurodegenerative diseases. We’ re regularly engaging lawmakers to educate them about the urgent need for this research, and to earn their support.