Madison, WI – Senator Melissa Ratcliff (D–Cottage Grove) introduced bipartisan legislation creating Wisconsin’s first Parkinson’s Disease Registry. The measure, introduced with support from Democratic and Republican lawmakers, health organizations, medical researchers, and advocacy groups, aims to provide critical data that will advance research, improve care, and strengthen support for individuals and families impacted by Parkinson’s Disease.
“Parkinson’s Disease touches so many lives in Wisconsin, yet we lack the comprehensive data that can help us better understand its reach and impact,” Senator Ratcliff stated. “As a co-author of this bipartisan bill, I am committed to ensuring that families, doctors, and researchers have the tools they need to fight this disease, improve care, and—one day—find a cure.”
This innovative, breakthrough legislation will establish and maintain a statewide registry tracking the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease. This data will equip medical professionals, researchers, and policymakers with the information needed to identify trends, direct resources, and expand opportunities for treatment and research.
Parkinson Disease is the fastest growing and second-most common neurodegenerative disease with approximately 21,000 Wisconsinites living with the deadly disease. In honor of her late husband, Stephanie Johnson founded Parkinson’s Disease Alliance of WI. Stephanie states that currently Wisconsin has no systematic way of tracking the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s but we can change that by passing legislation to create a powerful registry.
This is about hope, progress, and working together.
