news

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today cheered recent action from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act — legislation championed by Tonko that was signed into law in July, 2024.

As mandated by the law, HHS delegated authority to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a Federal Advisory Council on Parkinson’s Research, Care, and Services that will provide advice on Parkinson’s-related issues, including recommendations for priority actions to be included in the national plan.

A form for submitting advisory council nominations can be found HERE.

“For years, I pushed to enact my National Plan to End Parkinson’s to, at long last, create a federal plan to address Parkinson’s and bring hope to those living with this disease,” Congressman Tonko said. “This recent announcement is the first promising step towards reaching that goal. I’m grateful to HHS and NIH for their partnership and dedication in driving research and treatments on Parkinson’s, and I pledge to continue to do all I can to ensure that this law is implemented to the fullest extent to make a difference for those living with this disease.”

Once established, the Federal Advisory Council overseen by NIH 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; and
• Report to Congress on progress toward the plan’s goals.