Parkinson's Groups Push for $600M Research Funding

After decades of progress toward a Parkinson's cure, 300 advocates from 49 states traveled to Washington last month with one clear message: don't slow down now.

The American Parkinson Disease Association, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and The Parkinson's Foundation are urging Congress to increase federal Parkinson's research funding to $600 million per year at the National Institutes of Health. The three organizations represent 1.2 million Americans living with Parkinson's and related conditions.

The timing matters. Scientists say they're closer than ever to meaningful breakthroughs in pursuit of a cure, thanks to years of NIH-supported research that has already delivered new treatments and revealed important connections across neurodegenerative diseases.

The requested funding represents less than 1% of Parkinson's annual economic burden, which totals $82.2 billion in costs to patients, families, and the federal government. A recent national survey shows three in four voters support doubling federal investment in Parkinson's research.

The appeal comes as Congress reviews a budget proposal that includes a $5 billion reduction in NIH funding overall. Advocacy groups warn that cutting support now would slow scientific discoveries that millions of Americans need urgently.

The Ripple Effect

The progress already made demonstrates why sustained funding works. NIH-supported research has not only advanced Parkinson's treatments but also accelerated discoveries revealing connections across multiple neurodegenerative diseases, potentially benefiting millions more people facing different conditions.

Together, the three organizations have invested over $3 billion in Parkinson's research and patient support since their founding. The Michael J. Fox Foundation alone has funded $2.5 billion in research, while the Parkinson's Foundation has invested $513 million since 1957, and APDA has contributed more than $338 million since 1961.

Congress showed bipartisan support for strong NIH funding in the previous fiscal year, reflecting shared commitment to scientific discovery. The advocacy organizations are calling for that momentum to continue without delay.

The 300 advocates who met with Members of Congress last month shared personal stories about living with Parkinson's, providing powerful reminders of why research funding acceleration matters for developing better treatments and cures.

With a nationwide community millions strong ready to support efforts to strengthen the NIH through the appropriations process, the message is clear: robust federal investment in health and science must remain central to America's priorities.