Neurology on the Hill

The Sixth Annual Neurology on the Hill was held March 3–4, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Members from 36 states visited Washington, DC this spring to advocate on behalf of the Academy's top priority issues. Heading up the list was Academy drafted legislation that will create six Epilepsy Centers of Excellence within the VA Health system to care for service members returning with Traumatic Brain Injury from Iraq and Afghanistan. Other issues included Medicare physician reimbursement (SGR), increased funding for National Institute of Health, the Stop Stroke Act, the Universal Newborn Screening Lives Act and the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act. Through their important advocacy work, these members helped to educate lawmakers about the needs of Americans affected with Neurological disease.

Learn more about these and other Academy priority issues.

On the first day of the event, participants received training on the advocacy issues they would be bringing to the Hill. The following day, they were addressed by Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) who has introduced the Epilepsy Centers of Excellence bill in the House as H.R. 2818. Attendees then put their newly learned skills to practice by visiting their members of Congress. Meeting face-to-face with an elected official is a powerful experience. Remember, you can let policy makers decide what is best for you and your patients, or you can join us and give them a second opinion.

The Advocacy staff of the Academy would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended and helped to make this year's event so successful.