Policy
eyes. It made me proud to be part
of this essential work.”
In addition to underlining the need
for high-quality, affordable care,
advocates asked their senators and
representatives to secure funding
for four agencies essential to PD
research and drug development:
the National Institutes of
Health, the Food and Drug
Administration, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
and the Department of Defense.
Basic scientific discovery at the
federal level is critical to driving
Parkinson’s research, and the
Food and Drug Administration
plays an important role in drug
development as the regulator of all
therapies. Given ongoing budget
negotiations, Forum attendees
made it clear that robust funding
in this area is necessary to further
life-changing new treatments and
a cure.
Care partners also shared their
personal stories and urged
lawmakers to back policies
that would provide them with
more support. Caregivers
often juggle their own personal
responsibilities, workplace
demands and families. Policies
that recognize the emotional and
physical toll this can take are key
to improving quality of life for
both patients and care partners.
“Public policy and advocacy are
central to addressing patients’
needs, and the Foundation
is committed to providing
continued leadership on issues
being debated by our elected
officials,” says the Foundation’s
CEO, Todd Sherer, PhD.
“Over the course of our short
history we have been proud to
testify before key congressional
subcommittees, as well as
partner with the National
Institutes of Health and the
Presidential Commission
on Bioethics, among others.
We’ve witnessed an increased
appetite to hear directly from
organizations like ours with a track
record of innovation and impact,
and hope to continue serving in
this way. And we’re grateful to
our dedicated advocates for being
essential partners in this work.”
YOUR VOICE IS
MORE IMPORTANT
THAN EVER
For people with Parkinson’s
disease (PD) and their
loved ones, effective
advocacy is arguably
more important than
ever. Legislation with the
potential to impact the
Parkinson’s community
is being introduced —
speaking up about your
needs is critical.
Through our commitment
to public policy, The
Michael J. Fox Foundation
(MJFF) is working to ensure
access to affordable health
care and treatments, and
to protect our country’s
federal investments in
medical research. These
efforts support our search
for new therapies and
a cure, but we need
your help to amplify the
priorities of this community.
Here is how you and your
family can take action.
STAY INFORMED: MJFF is
monitoring policymakers
on Capitol Hill and in
the White House. We’re
9
Spring/Summer 2017
keeping a close watch on
activities that could resonate
in the Parkinson’s community,
and we’ll share news about
potential proposals that
could impact you.
Stay educated at
michaeljfox.org/policyblog.
CONTACT CONGRESS:
Communicating with
your elected officials is
an important part of the
lawmaking process. As
members of Congress
contemplate changes to our
health care system and the
ways in which new therapies
are reviewed and approved,
they must consider how you’d
be personally affected. But
they won’t know unless you
tell them directly about your
interests. Contact
your lawmakers and make
your voice heard at
michaeljfox.org/congress.
Inspired to volunteer and
further our public policy
efforts? Fill out at an
interest form at
michaeljfox.org/community.