[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13680-S13681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lautenberg, Mrs. 
        Murray, Mr. McCain, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Dayton):
  S. 2115. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve 
provisions relating to Parkinson's disease research; to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce the Morris K. 
Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act Amendments of 2005. I am pleased 
to be joined in this endeavor by my colleague, Senator Smith, who co-
chairs the Senate Parkinson's Caucus with me, as well as Senators 
Murray, Lautenberg, McCain, and Coleman as co-sponsors.
  Monday, December 12, marked the anniversary of the death of Mo Udall 
of Arizona, an amazing congressman and champion of the environment who 
passed away from Parkinson's in 1998. In recognition of Congressman 
Udall, Senators Wellstone and McCain introduced the Morris K. Udall 
Parkinson's Research Act of 1997, which expanded basic and clinical 
research by establishing Udall Centers of Excellence around the nation 
to further scientific advances against Parkinson's.
  In the United States, an estimated 60,000 new cases are diagnosed 
each year, joining the 1.5 million Americans who currently have 
Parkinson's disease. I know first-hand the anguish that a family goes 
through when a loved one is struck with this horrible disease as my 
grandmother had Parkinson's.
  Top scientists say that Parkinson's is one of the first neurological 
diseases that could be cured but only if the resources are there. The 
legislation I am introducing today will help give scientists the tools 
they need by building on the original Parkinson's Research Act. The 
Udall Act Amendments Act does not call for additional spending. Rather, 
my bill makes targeted, process-oriented changes to maximize the 
federal dollars already spent on Parkinson's research.
  I am also pleased to have the support of the entire Parkinson's 
patient community, including the Parkinson's Action Network, Michael J. 
Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Parkinson's Disease 
Foundation, National Parkinson Foundation, Parkinson Alliance, and 
American Parkinson Disease Association.
  Additionally, I am pleased to have the support of Henry Ford Health 
System. Michigan universities and research institutions are leading the 
Nation in cutting-edge research into health care, and Henry Ford is 
doing amazing work in Parkinson's research and epidemiology. The 
William T. Gossett Parkinson's Disease Center at Henry Ford provides 
comprehensive, experienced, and individualized diagnostic and 
therapeutic services to patients with Parkinson's disease and other 
movement disorders. State-of-the-art clinical programs are provided at 
Henry Ford Hospital, the Henry Ford Medical Center in West Bloomfield, 
and the Allen Park Neurology Center.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text the bill and the support 
letters be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2115

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Morris K. Udall Parkinson's 
     Disease Research Act Amendments of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. MORRIS K. UDALL PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH ACT OF 
                   1997.

       (a) Findings.--Subsection (b) of section 603 of the Morris 
     K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     284f note) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(1) Finding.--Congress finds that, to take full advantage 
     of the tremendous potential for finding a cure or effective 
     treatment, the Federal investment in Parkinson's must be 
     expanded, as well as the coordination strengthened among the 
     National Institutes of Health research institutes.''.
       (b) Public Health Service Act.--Section 409B of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284f) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (2) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Conference.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Director of NIH shall convene a 
     coordinating and planning conference every 2 years with 
     relevant institutes and non-governmental organizations to 
     conduct a thorough investigation of all Parkinson's research 
     that is funded in whole or in part by the National Institutes 
     of Health and to identify shortcomings and opportunities for 
     more effective treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease. 
     The Director shall report to Congress on the coordination 
     among the institutes in carrying out such research.
       ``(B) Research investment plan.--
       ``(i) In general.--The results of each conference convened 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be included in a research 
     investment plan that provides for measurable results with the 
     goals of better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease 
     being the determining factors in the allocation of 
     Parkinson's disease research dollars. The plan shall include 
     an outline of the manner in which to fully utilize the Udall 
     Center program to ensure the continuation of a particular 
     focus on translational research, including a clinical 
     component.
       ``(ii) Budget and implementation strategy.--The plan 
     submitted under clause (i) shall include a budget (that 
     includes both programmatic and dollar line items) and 
     implementation strategy (that incorporates the use of special 
     initiatives such as Requests for Applications, Program 
     Announcements with set-asides or similar directed research 
     mechanisms) together with results to be reported back to 
     Congress. The budget shall include
       ``(C) Submissions to congress.--The plan under subparagraph 
     (B) (including the budget and implementation strategy) and 
     the expected results of plan implementation shall be 
     submitted to Congress not later than 3 months after the 
     conference is convened under subparagraph (A). Reports on the 
     outcomes of the plan, including actual spending and actual 
     results, shall be submitted to Congress on an annual basis.
       ``(D) Funding.--The Secretary shall ensure that adequate 
     funding is available under this section to carry out the 
     activities described in the investment plan under 
     subparagraph (B).'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``not more than 10''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``The Director 
     shall ensure that an additional center shall be funded under 
     this paragraph to serve as the coordinating center to 
     coordinate the activities conducted by each of the centers 
     funded under this paragraph to further focus and manage the 
     interdisciplinary efforts of such centers.'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by striking ``conduct basic 
     and clinical research'' and inserting ``in carrying out 
     research, ensure that a significant clinical component is 
     provided for in addition to ongoing basic research''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Review process.--The Director of NIH shall establish 
     a review process with respect to applications received for 
     grants under paragraph (1). Such process shall provide for 
     the evaluation of applicants in a manner that recognizes the 
     unique aspects of the clinical, coordination, and 
     multidisciplinary components of the applicants.'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``is authorized to establish a grant 
     program'' and inserting ``shall award grants''; and
       (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``and shall be awarded in a manner consistent with 
     the research investment plan under subsection (b)(2)(B)''; 
     and
       (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
       ``(e) Report.--The Director of NIH, in consultation with 
     the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, shall conduct an investigation, and prepare and 
     submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report, on 
     the incidence of Parkinson's disease, including age, 
     occupation, and geographic population clusters, and related 
     environmental factors relating to such disease.

[[Page S13681]]

       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purposes of 
     carrying out this section, section 301, and this title with 
     respect to research focused on Parkinson's disease, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated not to exceed such sums as may 
     be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.''.
                                  ____



                                     Henry Ford Health System,

                                   Detroit, MI, December 12, 2005.
     Re Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act 
         Amendments of 2005.

     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow: The Henry Ford Health System 
     strongly supports your legislation which would reauthorize 
     the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Centers and 
     allow an expansion of this important research to other 
     states, including Michigan.
       The Henry Ford Health System has been engaged in 
     significant Parkinson's Disease research for many years, with 
     published research on linkages between Parkinson's Disease 
     and occupational exposure to lead, copper and agricultural 
     pesticides, as well as life-style going back to 1993. The 
     etiology of Parkinson's Disease is considered to have a 
     strong environmental component, but relatively few studies 
     have investigated the potential association between 
     occupation and the disease. The HFHS research is enriched by 
     our strong clinical and research programs in Neurology, 
     Biostatistics, and Research Epidemiology at the HFHS Health 
     Sciences Center, as well as our formal affiliation with Wayne 
     State University and the National Institute of Environmental 
     Health Sciences Center in Molecular and Cellular Toxicology 
     with Human Applications at WSU.
       Henry Ford Health System provides healthcare to more than 1 
     million patients, including approximately 25% of residents in 
     the greater Southeast Michigan region, as well as many 
     patients from virtually every state in the nation. Patients 
     are drawn to Henry Ford Health System because of important 
     advancements in diagnostics and treatment that may not be 
     readily available elsewhere. Because of our ability to 
     combine research with our strong clinical programs, HFHS 
     offers an ideal setting for the kinds of changes called for 
     in this legislation. We believe the intent to focus more of 
     the National Institutes of Health Parkinson's dollars on 
     translational research and therapies will bring a strong 
     return on investment and lead to better treatments for more 
     than one million Americans fighting Parkinson's disease.
       Thank you for your leadership on this important health care 
     issue. We appreciate your dedication and support for funding 
     the research that can eventually lead to a cure for 
     Parkinson's Disease. We look forward to working with you on 
     this legislation and offer our assistance in achieving the 
     positive changes called for in the Udall Act Amendments.
           Sincerely,
                                             Nancy M. Schlichting,

     President & CEO.
                                  ____



                                   Parkinson's Action Network,

                                 Washington, DC, November 1, 2005.
     Hon. Debbie Stabenow,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Gordon Smith,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Stabenow and Senator Smith: The Parkinson's 
     community strongly supports your legislation, the Morris K. 
     Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Act Amendments of 2005.
       Recognizing the need to accelerate the pace of Parkinson's 
     disease research, Congress passed the Morris K. Udall 
     Parkinson's Research Act of 1997 (Udall Act) and it was 
     signed into law. The Udall Act Amendments builds on the 
     historic 1997 Udall Act to strengthen and focus critical 
     Parkinson's disease research.
       Your legislation will ensure that NIH-funded research will 
     hasten discovery of better treatments and a cure for 
     Parkinson's disease. We believe the positive changes called 
     for in the Udall Act Amendments will require the NIH to focus 
     more of its Parkinson's dollars on translational research and 
     therapies, recognize the unique aspects of the Udall Centers, 
     and give us a stronger understanding of who is impacted by 
     this devastating disease and why. We are confident that the 
     Udall Act Amendments will ensure that federally-funded 
     Parkinson's disease research brings the strongest return on 
     investment possible and will ultimately lead to better 
     treatments and a cure for the more than one million Americans 
     fighting Parkinson's disease.
       The Parkinson's community applauds your legislation and 
     looks forward to working with you to ease the burden and find 
     a cure for Parkinson's disease. We thank you for your 
     leadership and dedicated efforts on behalf of the entire 
     Parkinson's community.
           Sincerely,
     Joel Gerstel,
       American Parkinson Disease Association.
     Amy Comstock,
       Parkinson's Action Network.
     Debi Brooks,
       The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
     Jose Garcia-Pedrosa,
       National Parkinson Foundation.
     Robin Elliott,
       Parkinson's Disease Foundation.
     Carol Walton,
       The Parkinson Alliance.

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