NE Washington News

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) have expressed their support following the enactment of H.R. 2365, the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act.

"This bipartisan legislation will help support research into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with Parkinson’s disease, which an estimated one million Americans live with every day. It is a huge step forward for patients, their loved ones, and caretakers working to support those battling the disease,” said Chairs Rodgers and Guthrie. "We commend Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Paul Tonko for shepherding this legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee, both chambers of Congress, and to the President’s desk.”

Congressman Bilirakis also remarked on the significance of this milestone: “I celebrate this important milestone in memory of my dear brother, other family members, and on behalf of all Americans who are still struggling with this debilitating disease. It takes a terrible toll on the physical, emotional and economic well-being of everyone involved. The lack of treatment options leaves patients, families, and American taxpayers in a terrible quandary. We must change our approach to get better results, which is exactly what our legislation will do."

He further added that the legislation builds upon past successes by replicating national project models that have advanced healthcare goals and treatment options. "This critical legislation will provide hope to those who are suffering and hopefully lead to better patient outcomes with less expensive disease management," he said.

H.R 2365 was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 47-0 on December 6, 2023. It passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 407-9 on December 14, 2023, before passing unanimously in the Senate on May 23, 2024.

President Biden signed H.R. 2365 into law on July 2, 2024.