New law to prevent, cure Parkinson’s disease

A new law establishes a mission for the federal government to cure and prevent Parkinson’s disease.

On Monday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) spent the day in Charleston, W.Va., to celebrate the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act becoming law. The law took effect on July 2, after Senators Capito and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) reintroduced the legislation in March 2023.

The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act will create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinson’s, plus caregivers, patients, and other non-federal experts.

This council will:

Ensure coordination among federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease

Evaluate all current federal programs related to Parkinson’s

Write a national plan to prevent and cure Parkinson’s and reduce the financial impact of the disease on patients and the federal government

Report to Congress on progress toward the plan’s goal

Sen. Capito was joined in the celebration by George Manahan, founding member of the Charleston Parkinson’s Support Group, representatives from the Michael J. Fox Foundation, members of the West Virginia Parkinson’s Support Network, and local leaders in Charleston. In addition, Sen. Capito was honored with the Parkinson’s MVP Champion Award for her work on this legislation and her efforts in Congress to address neurological disorders.