Califronia Senate Bill Needs Your Support!
California State Bill 895 Update
California Senate Bill 895 (SB 895) is a proposed bipartisan legislative measure to authorize a multi-billion dollar state bond (initially scoped up to $12 billion or higher) to fund vital health and scientific research. Strongly championed by high-profile advocates like actor Michael J. Fox, the bill aims to support research for major conditions including Parkinson's disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Key Goals of SB 895
• Dedicated Funding: Establishes the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to provide grants and loans for medical, biomedical, and scientific advancements.
• Combating Federal Cuts: Designed to offset drops in federal funding for scientific and medical research agencies.
• Affordability Measures: Includes provisions requiring discounts on drugs discovered using public research funds and allows the state to recoup a portion of royalties from successful commercialized inventions.
Connection to Parkinson's Disease
• Advocacy and Support: Legendary actor and Michael J. Fox Foundation founder Michael J. Fox published an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times urging California leaders and voters to back SB 895, stressing that current scientific momentum surrounding Parkinson's treatments needs local acceleration.
• Research Centers: The funding stands to benefit prominent California academic medical centers—such as UCSF and UC San Diego—that are actively leading key Parkinson's disease breakthrough studies.
Current Status
• The bill passed through the California State Senate with strong bipartisan support.
• Lawmakers and advocacy coalitions have been pushing to finalize the legislative steps required to place the massive research bond measure on the statewide ballot for voter approval.
