Late last night, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1362, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act—bringing it one significant step closer to becoming law! The bill passed via unrecorded voice vote and will now be await Senate action. This success is due in large part to two years of advocacy efforts by our chapters and grassroots activists.
Background on Expanded Bill:
The legislation will establish a national data surveillance system that will track and collect data on the epidemiology, incidence, prevalence, and other factors of neurological diseases, including MS. This broadened bill was developed in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As technology evolves, the CDC will develop and incorporate new and innovative ways to collect and communicate public health information. In order to build the most nimble system to accommodate changing technology and most efficiently use funding, it was recommended by the CDC that the system not only include MS and Parkinson’s, but also make the system open to all neurological diseases. MS and Parkinson’s are maintained as priorities in the newly expanded legislation.
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