PD registry attempt

[Rweeks@xxxxxxx]

Parkinson group working in cooperation with UNMC and Creighton University
were able to have a bill introduced in the state legislature to request
funding for a Parkinsons Disease (and related movement disorders) registry in
Nebraska.  The bill was initially opposed by the state pharmacists group
(paperwork involved to report prescriptions).  the physicians lobbyist:
 paperwork involved reporting patient diagnosis/visit; and the hospitals
lobbyist:  paperwork involved reporting patient admission.  Pharmacists
eventually agreed to support bill, but it died in committee.  Basic premise
on all parts of opposition is if we agree to do this with one disease, we
will open the door to do it with all others.  Let's not add more paperwork to
our stacks.  (necessary to have pharmacy, doctor and hospital reporting
because patients treated by doctor instate receive prescriptions by mail
order out of state; patients treated out of state for their PD may or may not
buy drugs in state; and those hospitalized may not be treated by in state
physician for parkinsonism.)  As an agriculturally oriented state, it is
believed this registry could have proven to be very useful.
Rita Weeks