Policy
Photo by Joe Shymanski
Mr . Fox and 200 Parkinson ’ s Advocates Go to Washington ( continued from cover )
this issue is sure to continue in the foreseeable future .
“ Reforms to our health care system , including changes to the ACA , Medicare and Medicaid , will affect the Parkinson ’ s community ,” says Ted Thompson , JD , senior vice president of public policy at The Michael J . Fox Foundation . “ Eighty percent of PD patients rely on Medicare for basic health care , and up to one-third of people with Parkinson ’ s are eligible for Medicaid . According to a study our Foundation commissioned , the cost of living with PD is estimated to be $ 26,400 per year . That ’ s a lot of money for the average American household , and it underscores the necessity of affordable health coverage , as well as more research toward better treatments and a cure .”
ADVOCATES HIGHLIGHT PD COMMUNITY NEEDS ON CAPITOL HILL
Forum attendees participated in sessions on the current state of politics , advocacy best practices and policy issues impacting people with Parkinson ’ s and their care partners . Before heading to the Hill to speak with members of Congress , advocates heard from Michael J . Fox , himself attending a bipartisan meeting of House leadership hosted by Majority Whip Steve Scalise ( R-LA ) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ). “ We ’ re an active , concerned , involved , informed community that has a right to expect that we get attention when decisions are made ,” Michael said , in a panel moderated by Dave Iverson , co-chair of the Foundation ’ s Patient Council .
“ This year ’ s Forum was remarkable . The sessions were informative and empowering , and when I sat down with my lawmakers I felt well prepared to speak up for the Parkinson ’ s community ,” says Charles Brown , a longtime advocate from Massachusetts . “ Listening to Michael talk brought tears to my
2017 PARKINSON ’ S ADVOCACY AWARD WINNERS
During the 2017 Parkinson ’ s Policy Forum , the Foundation presented advocacy awards to five individuals . The recipients were recognized for their exceptional efforts to further policies benefitting people with Parkinson ’ s , their families and care partners .
Learn more at michaeljfox . org / 2017advocacyawards
Social Media Advocacy Award : Mary Killian , Kentucky
Year-round Advocacy Award : E . Bruce McEvoy , Florida
Milly Kondracke Award for Outstanding Advocacy ( Advocate of the Year ): Ron Dover , Kansas
Morris K . Udall Award for Public Service : Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Robin Elliott , CEO emeritus of the Parkinson ’ s Disease Foundation
8 The Fox Focus