Higgins Fights for Veterans with Parkinson's Disease to Have Access to Proven, Alternative Treatment

Press Release

Higgins requested time at the committee hearing intended to inform policymaking on veteran issues and budgeting for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Higgins said, "Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disease that can rapidly affect life quality. It currently affects more than a million Americans, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 110,000 veterans have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. While the exact causes of Parkinson's are unknown, many veterans developed the disease after exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals while serving our nation."

The Congressman highlighted the case of Western New York U.S. Marine Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Dr. Patrick Welch: "Doctor Welch's physician recommended that he seek therapy at Parkinson's Boxing, a boxing gym in Buffalo New York…Parkinson's Boxing program has been endorsed by the Director of Movement Disorder Clinic at the VA Hospital in Western New York Healthcare System. Given Dr. Welch's physician has deemed this therapy to be necessary, under the MISSION Act's Community Care provision this should be a covered service. Yet despite all the evidence, the VA would not cover the cost of Dr. Welch's therapy because Parkinson's Boxing is not recognizable as a billable service."

Dr. Patrick Welch said, "It is very interesting that the Buffalo VA has denied access to this non-contact exercise program when on the VA website it states, "Research has demonstrated the great benefits of exercise for patients with PD. Not only have exercise programs been shown to improve motor function and reduce the risk of falls, but they also improve overall quality of life and possibly slow the course of the disease.'"

Boxing therapy has been shown to deliver positive outcomes for those with Parkinson's disease, improving strength, balance, coordination, and cognitive abilities. Higgins mentioned how others, including former Congressman Jack Quinn who now serves on the board of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, have seen positive results thanks to the treatment. In his testimony, Higgins noted that "my predecessor, former Congressman Jack Quinn, and his brother Jeff, have spoken publicly on the benefits of boxing to alleviate symptoms associated with Parkinson's."

Higgins concluded with, "Mr. Chairman, I strongly believe veterans should be able to seek care at facilities like Parkinson's Boxing as a covered VA benefit. The VA acknowledges the benefits of exercise on Parkinson's disease, and we must not allow the red tape to get in the way of a veteran's ability to access the therapy they need."

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