Overview
Title
An Act To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national project to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure Parkinson’s, to be known as the National Parkinson’s Project, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to create a big plan to help people with Parkinson's disease by finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. It will involve listening to lots of different experts and checking how well the plan is working each year until 2035.
Summary AI
H.R. 2365 establishes a national initiative called the National Parkinson’s Project, directed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, aimed at preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing Parkinson's disease. The bill outlines the creation of an integrated national plan for Parkinson's, coordination of research, improvement of treatments, and collaboration with international and non-governmental entities. It also proposes the establishment of an Advisory Council to guide Parkinson's-related efforts, provide an annual report on federally-funded initiatives, and recommend strategies to improve patient outcomes and care. The project is set to continue until the end of 2035.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, identified as H.R. 2365, outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing Parkinson's disease through a coordinated national initiative. Known formally as the "Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act," this bill aims to establish the National Parkinson's Project. This initiative tasks the Secretary of Health and Human Services with developing a plan to prevent, diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure Parkinson's disease.
General Summary
At its core, the bill seeks to address the challenges associated with Parkinson's disease, a complex neurodegenerative condition. The bill mandates the creation of an integrated national plan to manage and research Parkinson's, requiring annual reports, fostering inter-agency coordination, and promoting international collaboration. An Advisory Council comprising both federal and non-federal members would guide these efforts, focusing on research, patient care, and policy recommendations. The plan encompasses a broad period, set to sunset in 2035, allowing for long-term strategies and adaptations over the years.
Significant Issues
Several notable issues arise within this legislative proposal. First, the bill defines Parkinson's broadly, including related neurodegenerative disorders. This could dilute focus and perhaps cause misallocation of resources. Moreover, the expansiveness of the project, without specific budget outlines or cost controls, raises concerns about financial oversight. There is also potential administrative complexity due to the diverse composition of the Advisory Council, which might slow decision-making processes. Finally, the bill lacks specific metrics or benchmarks to evaluate the project's success, making accountability a challenge; this could lead to ineffective assessments of progress.
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, particularly those affected by Parkinson's, the bill’s potential impact appears positive. By addressing one of the foremost neurodegenerative diseases, it aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life through comprehensive research and more coordinated care. Health care providers and researchers are likely to see an influx of support and resources, potentially accelerating breakthrough treatments or prevention strategies.
However, without clear financial safeguards, taxpayers could bear unforeseen expenses. The ambitious scope also risks diverting attention and resources from other important health initiatives. Rigorous oversight and adaptive strategies are crucial for ensuring the project meets its promises without negative financial consequences.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For individuals and families dealing with Parkinson’s, the bill is a beacon of hope, advancing the prospect of improved care and potentially transformative treatments. Advocates and nonprofits focused on Parkinson’s stand to gain attention and funding from increased governmental focus.
On the other hand, competing priorities among the various stakeholders in the Advisory Council could complicate coordinated efforts, leading to conflicts or inefficiencies. Pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions could benefit from increased funding for research and drug development but must adhere to regulations to prevent favoritism or ethical breaches.
In summary, while the "National Plan to End Parkinson's Act" proposes a robust framework to address a critical health issue, careful execution and oversight will be key to achieving its aims without unintended negative impacts. Tightened focus, clear financial oversight, and defined measures of success could enhance its potential benefits for all involved.
Issues
The broad definition of Parkinson's, which includes 'all other neurodegenerative Parkinsonisms,' may lead to ambiguous interpretations and inclusions of conditions not typically related to Parkinson's disease, resulting in unclear focus for the National Parkinson's Project. This issue is noted in Section 399OO.
The bill grants significant authority to the Secretary to coordinate with international bodies and collaborate with other entities, which may raise questions about oversight, favoritism, or bias in the choice of collaborations. This issue is noted in Section 399OO.
The lack of clear cost controls or budget outlines, especially given the expansive nature of the National Parkinson's Project, poses a risk of budget overruns or inefficient use of funding. This concern is associated with Section 2.
The requirement for an Advisory Council with a wide range of members, including federal and non-federal backgrounds, could lead to administrative complexity and coordination challenges. This is especially relevant to Section 399OO(e).
The ambitious goal of the National Parkinson's Project, given its broad and undefined scope, presents a risk of overlapping activities and unclear responsibilities. This is seen in Sections 2 and 399OO.
The lack of clear metrics or benchmarks for success in the annual assessment of progress may result in ineffective evaluation of the National Parkinson's Project and is a concern in Section 399OO(d).
The absence of an evaluation plan or accountability mechanism for the post-termination period of the Advisory Council could leave unresolved issues unaddressed beyond 2035, as noted in Section 399OO(e)(5).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act states its official short title, which is the “Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act.”
2. National Parkinson’s Project Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The National Parkinson’s Project is established to address Parkinson’s disease by planning and coordinating efforts to prevent, diagnose, treat, and find a cure for the disease in the United States. An Advisory Council will guide the project and produce annual reports assessing progress and providing recommendations, with a focus on research, patient care, and reducing the disease's impact, until its conclusion at the end of 2035.
399OO. National Parkinson’s Project Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes the National Parkinson’s Project with the goal of preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires the Secretary to develop a national plan, coordinate research and services, and create an Advisory Council to oversee progress and report on federally-funded initiatives, with the project set to end in 2035.