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Neurology left out of health care reform!

Contact your Senators and urge them to support vital health care amendment!

The health care debate is moving fast in the U.S. Senate, and members of the Parkinson's community can effect change for millions of Americans. Currently, neurology is not listed as a specialty eligible for primary care incentives in section 5501 of the Senate Health Reform Bill, even though family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and geriatrics are included. This will mean that neurologists are the only physicians who regularly manage and coordinate care who are not eligible for the bonus.

Earlier this week, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced an amendment to the health care bill that would add neurologists to this list, enabling millions of Americans living with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and ALS to get the proper care they need.

Neurologists, many of whom are providing the principal care for people living with Parkinson's disease, need to be included in the incentive. Excluding neurologists could have long-lasting ramifications for all people living with neurological conditions, including Parkinson's.

Sen. Klobuchar's amendment, which has strong bipartisan support from Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sharrod Brown (D-OH), will correct this problem. Call or e-mail both of your senators today and ask them to support Sen. Klobuchar's amendment (H.R. 3590), and ask the senators to let the Senate Finance Committee know of their support.