ALS Funding Bill Advances Toward Hope for Cure

Congress is taking major steps toward finding a cure for ALS, the debilitating disease that has touched countless families across America.

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee in May 2026, reauthorizing federal funds for ALS research and clinical trials. The bill also supports research into other neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's Disease.

Behind the legislation stands Brian Wallach, who received his ALS diagnosis the same day his newborn daughter came home from the hospital. Doctors gave him six months to live, but he's now survived more than eight years with the disease.

In April 2026, Wallach testified before the Health Subcommittee alongside his wife Sandra Abrevaya. His condition had progressed so severely he could no longer speak or move, but aided by technology, he delivered a powerful message: this bill is our best chance at finding a cure.

The couple co-founded I AM ALS, a patient advocacy group connecting the ALS community with resources and policy action. Their work has helped transform the federal response to this rare disease.

Late actor Eric Dane, beloved for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy, became a fierce advocate after his April 2025 diagnosis. He visited Capitol Hill to share his story with lawmakers and inspired others to join the fight before passing away in February 2026.

Dane's advocacy journey is captured in the documentary "Ring Every Bell: Eric Dane's Final Act," released alongside a public service announcement during ALS Awareness Month. His voice continues inspiring action even after his death.

The Ripple Effect

The ALS movement draws strength from personal connections. Health Subcommittee Chairman Morgan Griffith represents Virginia's Roanoke Valley, an ALS hotspot where many families know someone impacted by the disease.

Former Virginia Delegate Raymond R. Robrecht died from ALS on Christmas Eve 1994. Griffith's friend Rob Lawson passed in 2022. These personal losses fuel the urgency behind legislative action.

The bill's bipartisan support, sponsored by Democrat Mike Quigley and backed by Republicans like Griffith, shows how ALS advocacy transcends politics. When patients and families share their stories, lawmakers listen.

With the bill advancing toward a full House vote, hope grows stronger for the thousands living with ALS and their families waiting for breakthrough treatments.