Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Help Copays Act (HR 830 / S 1375); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539 / S 3131); National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094); The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act (HR 7384 / S 4583) / HR 3433); BIOSECURE Act (HR 7085).

Client expense: $220,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Issues related to protecting patient access to medicines in Medicare; Issues related to access to medicines for Parkinson's disease patients; Issues Related to Antipsychotic use in Medicaid (HR 4096); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539 / S 3131); National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094); EPIC Act (HR 7174); BIOSECURE Act (HR 7085).

Client expense: $220,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: A bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinson's disease, as well as patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts, to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities responsible for managing, treating, and curing Parkinson's disease. General Parkinson's Disease Information: Covers symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health, data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities, particularly through the CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). H.R.2630/S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: Requires group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to ensure that individuals living with Parkinson's disease can access treatments safely and efficiently. Establishing Parkinson's Disease ICD-10-CM Codes: Aims to assist in the coordination of care for Parkinson's patients who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather data to study disease progression. S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: A bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: Permanently removes Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms include mental health conditions, and many people with Parkinson's are Medicare beneficiaries who may face barriers due to in-person requirements. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: A bill requiring health insurance plans to apply certain payments, including third-party payments, financial assistance, and product vouchers, toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. This helps Parkinson's patients afford medications for managing symptoms. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: Requires Part D plans to cover all drugs in six protected classes, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. For individuals with Parkinson's disease, these medications are crucial for managing non-motor symptoms such as depression and psychosis. H.R.4752/S.2379 - CHANGE Act of 2023: A bill to improve early screening, detection, and diagnosis of Alzheimer's and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, during Medicare wellness visits. H.R.4942/S.655 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: Reauthorizes the Conrad State 30 program and improves policies to address health care provider shortages, supporting neurological care for Parkinson's patients. H.R.8702/S.4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act: Establishes requirements regarding the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans. H.R.9233/S.- The HEALTHY Brains Act: Draft legislation to create a Centers of Excellence grant program within the National Institutes of Health to focus on the intersection between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases. General Outreach for Establishing an ""Office of Caregiver Health"": Supports the creation of an Office of Caregiver Health within the Department of Health and Human Services to address the needs of caregivers, particularly in relation to Parkinson's disease care.

FY 2025 Appropriations bills including funding requests for Parkinson's research within: H.R.8774/ S.4921: The Department of Defense within the FY 2025 Defense Appropriation bill. Funding for the Parkinson's Research Program (PRP) under the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). H.R.9029/S.4942: The National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. Possible funding to implement the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365/ PL 118-66) within LHHS appropriations. H.R.9027/ S.4690: The Food and Drug Administration within the FY 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. H.R.8580/ S.4677: The Department of Veterans Affairs within the FY 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill. Support funding for Neurology Centers of Excellence and medical care and research through Veterans Health Administration, including the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers. H.R.9029/S.4942: General advocacy in support of robust non-defense discretionary investments in Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill for FY 2025. Funding for discretionary, non-defense priorities including overall investment in the National Institute of Health, ARPA-H, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bills. Funding for the Parkinson's Research Program (PRP) under the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Increased funding for NIEHS (no bill introduced).

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Help Copays Act (HR 830 / S 1375); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539 / S 3131); National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094); The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act (HR 7384 / S 4583); Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act (S 4583).

Client expense: $450,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Issues related to protecting patient access to medicines in Medicare; Issues related to access to medicines for Parkinson's disease patients; Issues Related to Antipsychotic use in Medicaid (HR 4096); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539 / S 3131); National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094); EPIC Act (HR 7174).

Client expense: $450,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease. General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). H.R.2630/S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease. Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: a bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which can aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis, under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: a bill to permanently remove Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms encompass mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, and other memory problems, and the majority of people living with Parkinson's in the United States are Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom will face undue burdens meeting the unnecessary in-person requirement for telemental health services after the delay of the requirement enforcement expires December 31, 2024. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: a bill to require health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements. Many Parkinson's patients rely on such third-party payments to afford medications to treat and manage their disease symptoms, and this legislation will ensure that all payments whether they come directly out of a pocket or with the help of copay assistance-counts toward out-of-pocket costs of patients. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. H.R.4752/S.2379 - the Concentrating High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2023: a bill to better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimers and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, in their earliest stages. Signed Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition letter to members of Congress in support of this legislation. H.R.4942/S.655 - the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: a bill to reauthorize the Conrad State 30 program for three years, make several targeted policy improvements, and permit the gradual expansion of the number of waivers granted to each state to address health care provider shortages. Signed American Academy of Neurology letter to member of Congress in support of this legislation. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy. Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance. Signed Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth coalition comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in support prioritizing the needs of patients by expanding policies that improved access to safe and timely health care via telehealth. Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program. H.R.8702/S.4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act: a bill to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans. H.R./S.- The HEALTHY Brains Act- draft legislation to create a Centers of Excellence grant program within the National Institute of Health to focus on the intersection between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative disease. General outreach and support for the establishment of an "Office of Caregiver Health" within the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services.

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease. General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). H.R.2630/S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease. Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: a bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which can aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis, under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: a bill to permanently remove Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms encompass mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, and other memory problems, and the majority of people living with Parkinson's in the United States are Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom will face undue burdens meeting the unnecessary in-person requirement for telemental health services after the delay of the requirement enforcement expires December 31, 2024. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: a bill to require health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements. Many Parkinson's patients rely on such third-party payments to afford medications to treat and manage their disease symptoms, and this legislation will ensure that all payments whether they come directly out of a pocket or with the help of copay assistance-counts toward out-of-pocket costs of patients. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. H.R.4752/S.2379 - the Concentrating High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2023: a bill to better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimers and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, in their earliest stages. Signed Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition letter to members of Congress in support of this legislation. H.R.4942/S.655 - the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: a bill to reauthorize the Conrad State 30 program for three years, make several targeted policy improvements, and permit the gradual expansion of the number of waivers granted to each state to address health care provider shortages. Signed American Academy of Neurology letter to member of Congress in support of this legislation. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy. Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance. Signed Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth coalition comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in support prioritizing the needs of patients by expanding policies that improved access to safe and timely health care via telehealth. Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program.

H.R. 2365, Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis National Plan to End Parkinsons Act, All provisions.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Help Copays Act (HR 830 / S. 1375); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539 / S. 3131); National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S. 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094); The Creating Hope Act (HR 7384).

Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Issues related to protecting patient access to medicines in Medicare; Issues related to access to medicines for Parkinson's disease patients; Issues Related to Antipsychotic use in Medicaid (HR 4096); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539 / S. 3131); National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S. 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094); EPIC Act (HR 7174).

Client expense: $250,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Help Copays Act (HR 830 / S. 1375); Orphan Cures Act (HR 5539); Issues related to rare disease research incentives; National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (HR 2365 / S. 1064); Protect Rare Act (HR 6094).

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Six Protected Classes: Issues related to protecting patient access to medicines in Medicare; Nursing Home Quality: Issues related to access to medicines for Parkinson's disease patients; HR 4096 - Issues Related to Antipsychotic use in Medicaid; HR 5539 - Orphan Cures Act; HR 2365 / S. 1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act; HR 6094 - Protect Rare Act.

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R. 2365, Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis National Plan to End Parkinsons Act, All provisions.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease. General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease. Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: a bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which can aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis, under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: a bill to permanently remove Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms encompass mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, and other memory problems, and the majority of people living with Parkinson's in the United States are Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom will face undue burdens meeting the unnecessary in-person requirement for telemental health services after the delay of the requirement enforcement expires December 31, 2024. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: a bill to require health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements. Many Parkinson's patients rely on such third-party payments to afford medications to treat and manage their disease symptoms, and this legislation will ensure that all payments whether they come directly out of a pocket or with the help of copay assistance-counts toward out-of-pocket costs of patients. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. H.R.4752/S.2379 - the Concentrating High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2023: a bill to better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimers and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, in their earliest stages. Signed Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition letter to members of Congress in support of this legislation. H.R.4942/S.655 - the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: a bill to reauthorize the Conrad State 30 program for three years, make several targeted policy improvements, and permit the gradual expansion of the number of waivers granted to each state to address health care provider shortages. Signed American Academy of Neurology letter to member of Congress in support of this legislation. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy. Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance. Signed Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth coalition comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in support prioritizing the needs of patients by expanding policies that improved access to safe and timely health care via telehealth. Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program.

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease. General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease. Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: a bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which can aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis, under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: a bill to permanently remove Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms encompass mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, and other memory problems, and the majority of people living with Parkinson's in the United States are Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom will face undue burdens meeting the unnecessary in-person requirement for telemental health services after the delay of the requirement enforcement expires December 31, 2024. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: a bill to require health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements. Many Parkinson's patients rely on such third-party payments to afford medications to treat and manage their disease symptoms, and this legislation will ensure that all payments whether they come directly out of a pocket or with the help of copay assistance-counts toward out-of-pocket costs of patients. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. H.R.4752/S.2379 - the Concentrating High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2023: a bill to better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimers and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, in their earliest stages. Signed Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition letter to members of Congress in support of this legislation. H.R.4942/S.655 - the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: a bill to reauthorize the Conrad State 30 program for three years, make several targeted policy improvements, and permit the gradual expansion of the number of waivers granted to each state to address health care provider shortages. Signed American Academy of Neurology letter to member of Congress in support of this legislation. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy. Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance. Signed Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth coalition comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in support prioritizing the needs of patients by expanding policies that improved access to safe and timely health care via telehealth. Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program.

Drug Pricing: Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Protected Classes: Issues related to protecting patient access to medicines in Medicare; Nursing Home Quality: Issues related to medicines in nursing homes; HR 4096 - Issues Related to Antipsychotic use in Medicaid; HR 5539 - Orphan Cures Act; HR 2365 / S. 1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act.

Client expense: $180,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Drug Pricing: Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; Help Copays Act (H.R. 830 / S. 1375); Orphan Cures Act (H.R. 5539); Issues related to rare disease research incentives; National Plan to End Parkinson's Act (H.R. 2365 / S. 1064).

Client expense: $180,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease. General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease. Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: a bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which can aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis, under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: a bill to permanently remove Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms encompass mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, and other memory problems, and the majority of people living with Parkinson's in the United States are Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom will face undue burdens meeting the unnecessary in-person requirement for telemental health services after the delay of the requirement enforcement expires December 31, 2024. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: a bill to require health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements. Many Parkinson's patients rely on such third-party payments to afford medications to treat and manage their disease symptoms, and this legislation will ensure that all payments whether they come directly out of a pocket or with the help of copay assistance-counts toward out-of-pocket costs of patients. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take.

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease. General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). S.652 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease. Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS).

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported