CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), joined 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, W.Va. to celebrate the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act becoming law. During the event, Senator 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.
“While I am honored to receive the Parkinson’s MVP Champion Award, I am prouder that we have successfully created the first-ever law solely devoted to addressing and curing Parkinson’s disease. I am so thankful for the continued advocacy and support of George Manahan and the Charleston Parkinson’s Support Group, the West Virginia Parkinson’s Support Network, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and all those in West Virginia who are impacted by this disease. Without them, our success would not be possible. Every day, members of the Parkinson’s community face challenges created by this disease head on. This law is for them, and we must continue working together to make a world without Parkinson’s disease a reality,” Senator Capito said.
“Senator Capito is one of the main reasons that The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act passed Congress. The state Parkinson’s community has gathered to thank her for her efforts in passage of this bill and her support throughout the years,” George Manahan, founding member of the Charleston Parkinson’s Support Group, said.
BACKGROUND:
Senator Capito first introduced the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act in September 2022, and reintroduced the legislation in March 2023. Senator Capito’s efforts to address Parkinson’s disease stem from conversations and visits she’s had directly with West Virginians who have been impacted by the disease.
In November 2022, Senator Capito attended a boxing class for people with Parkinson’s disease at the Charleston, W.Va. YMCA where she learned about efforts to slow the progression of the disease. Additionally, Senator Capito frequently discusses support for individuals with neurological diseases with medical leadership at both the national and state level, particularly the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and West Virginia University’s (WVU) Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI).
The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act will create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that supports research, care, and services for Parkinson’s, plus caregivers, patients, and other non-federal experts.
Specifically, the 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; and
- Report to Congress on progress toward the plan’s goals.
