This Senate resolution, introduced on April 30, 2025 by Senator Rick Scott (with Senators Booker and Risch joining), expresses support for designating April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. It is a symbolic, non-binding statement that Yukes up public attention to Parkinson’s disease and the people affected by it.
The measure notes the scale of Parkinson’s disease in the United States—more than 1 million people affected, with roughly 90,000 new diagnoses each year—and cites projections that cases will nearly double by 2037 and will cost the nation at least $80 billion annually. It also highlights a range of symptoms and the critical role of family caregivers, researchers, and patient communities.
The resolution then lays out five action-oriented acknowledgments: designation of April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month; support for the goals and ideals of the awareness month; continued support for research toward better treatments and a cure; recognition of individuals living with Parkinson’s who participate in clinical trials; and commendation of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and millions of Americans contributing to quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their families.
At a Glance
What It Does
The bill designates April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month and expresses support for the goals of such awareness efforts. It serves as a formal signal of congressional intent to elevate visibility and advocacy around Parkinson’s disease.
Who It Affects
Directly affects the Parkinson’s community (patients, families, caregivers), advocacy organizations, researchers, clinicians, and public health partners that participate in awareness activities.
Why It Matters
Sets a national commemorative frame to bolster education, research funding, and public engagement around Parkinson’s, signaling priority for ongoing treatment advances and patient support.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill is a Senate resolution that designates April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month and expresses congressional support for the goals of awareness, education, and research. It underscores the disease’s prevalence in the United States, describes the spectrum of symptoms, and notes the important roles played by patients, families, and caregivers in daily life and clinical research.
The resolution frames Parkinson’s awareness as a national issue deserving of attention from lawmakers, medical researchers, and the public.
Importantly, this is a symbolic, non-binding act. It does not create new programs, mandates, or spending, but it can influence policy discussions by elevating Parkinson’s as a public health priority and by encouraging continued investment in research and patient support.
The resolution also recognizes individuals living with Parkinson’s who participate in clinical trials and commends the efforts of organizations and volunteers working to improve quality of life for those affected and their families.In short, the bill’s purpose is to bolster awareness, honor those impacted by Parkinson’s, and affirm Congress’s ongoing support for research and patient-centered initiatives, without imposing new statutory obligations or funding commitments.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill designates April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
It expresses support for the goals and ideals of Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
It calls for continued research toward better treatments and a cure.
It recognizes individuals living with Parkinson’s who participate in clinical trials.
It commends organizations, volunteers, researchers, and affected individuals nationwide.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Designation of Parkinson’s Awareness Month
The Senate resolves to designate April 2025 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The designation is intended to elevate public education, awareness, and advocacy related to Parkinson’s disease, aligning congressional attention with ongoing efforts to understand and treat the condition.
Support for the goals of Parkinson’s Awareness Month
The resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of the Parkinson’s Awareness Month effort, signaling endorsement of education, outreach, and collaborative action among patient communities, researchers, and health organizations.
Continued support for research and treatment
The resolution states that Congress continues to support research to find better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease, reinforcing the legislative emphasis on scientific advancement and patient-centered outcomes.
Recognition of trial participants
The resolution recognizes individuals living with Parkinson’s disease who participate in vital clinical trials, acknowledging their role in advancing knowledge and potential therapies.
Commendation of organizations and volunteers
The resolution commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and millions of individuals across the United States who work to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their families.
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Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Parkinson’s disease patients and their families, who gain visibility and potential access to resources and support networks.
- Parkinson’s disease advocacy organizations and patient coalitions, which can leverage greater public attention and mobilize volunteers.
- Researchers and clinicians involved in Parkinson’s studies, who benefit from heightened interest and potential collaboration.
- Healthcare providers and community organizations that support education, screening, and care coordination related to Parkinson’s.
- Employers and workplaces with affected employees may see improved awareness and accommodation resources.
Who Bears the Cost
- Senate staff time and administrative resources required to process and publish the resolution.
- Minimal printing and dissemination costs for official records and materials.
- Any voluntary outreach or event costs borne by private nonprofits or participating organizations, which is not mandated by law.
- Potential minor costs for local health departments or hospitals that choose to coordinate related education events on a voluntary basis.
- No direct mandatory spending or fiscal outlays are imposed by the resolution.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central tension is between using a symbolic designation to mobilize attention and action versus the absence of direct funding or mandates; the bill invites voluntary participation, but its impact hinges on private and nonprofit mobilization beyond what Congress is required to provide.
As a non-binding expression, the resolution does not create new programs or spending. Its impact depends on how external organizations and the public respond with awareness campaigns and initiative activities.
A key question for implementation is whether private entities will mobilize events, education campaigns, or fundraising efforts in alignment with the designation, and how those efforts interact with existing Parkinson’s research and patient-support networks. Additionally, the designating act foregrounds Parkinson’s in public discourse, which could influence funding priorities or policy attention in related health initiatives.
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