By Patricia Lightner
While health insurance coverage is a very important issue receiving attention during this presidential campaign, many overlook the vital need for medical research funding. It is an issue that should beg for everyone’s attention.
The National Institutes of Health does basic medical research seeking the causes, better treatments, and ultimately cures for many diseases and chronic conditions.
Everyone should be greatly concerned that the NIH received only a meager 0.5 percent increase in funds, during fiscal year 2008. This amount does not keep up with biomedical inflation and research will likely have to slow down. Better treatments and cures for Parkinson’s and other diseases will not be forthcoming if the NIH is not properly funded.
People with chronic conditions appreciate the funding increases granted to the NIH through the years. Now is not the time to stop. The NIH is in the midst of helping our country’s greatest resource—its people.
NETRP for Parkinson's Disease
The most important research program to people with Parkinson's disease is the Department of Defense’s Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Research Program or NETRP. This program researches ways to protect our servicemen and servicewomen from exposure to toxic substances now and in the future. Our children in the military are exposed to toxins such as pesticides, low level radiation, and they are at risk for head and bodily injuries whether they are on active duty or in National Guard training. These injuries and exposures to toxins put them at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
This is the only federal research program that is Parkinson’s-specific. However, the benefits derived from this program go further than helping Parkinson’s patients. This program helps with the long-term neurological health problems of the soldiers that have protected our country. Research grants awarded from this program must have direct war fighter connections. There is a strong connection between military service and Parkinson's disease because so many veterans develop Parkinson's or other neurological conditions.
It is generally understood that there are budgetary restraints and requests for funds from competing organizations. This Department of Defense (DOD) research program has proven success in coming to the aid of our military. Yet the Senate Defense Appropriations bill cut $6.5 million from the NETRP last year.
The DOD research program is improving the lives of both soldiers and civilians. Investing more funds in this research will yield a high return. More lives will be saved, as it is predicted that neurodegenerative diseases will take the place of cancer as the number two cause of death among the elderly by 2040.
Money also will be saved with an investment of more funds for the Department of Defense research program. The number of people on disability will decline. These people will remain in work force and pay taxes longer.
How we treat our nation’s greatest resource—our people—will seal our fate. We can be a productive and healthy nation or we can be a nation that wallows in thoughts of what might have been. It is up to us to get our priorities straight.
Please continue to give attention to the issue of health insurance coverage. However, please give the same attention to medical research. It is an investment that will give us a great return. This is no time to pull back. It is time to invest in our future.