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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777 |
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| City | New York |
State | NY |
Zip Code | 10163 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 401104060-12
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6. House ID# 432920001
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2023 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
| 10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
| INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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| 12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
| INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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| Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
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Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
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| Signature | Digitally Signed By: Dustin Watson |
Date | 1/16/2024 10:59:39 AM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: a bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinsons, plus patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities with responsibility for managing, treating, and curing Parkinsons disease.
General Parkinson's disease information about symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health related to Parkinson's disease and data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities. Information related to prevalence particularly at CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS).
S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments.
Establishing Parkinson's disease ICD-10-CM codes to assist in the continuation and coordination of care for people living with Parkinson's who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather more data to study the progression of the disease.
Reauthorization of CDCs National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS).
S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: a bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which can aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis, under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services.
H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: a bill to permanently remove Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms encompass mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, dementia, and other memory problems, and the majority of people living with Parkinson's in the United States are Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom will face undue burdens meeting the unnecessary in-person requirement for telemental health services after the delay of the requirement enforcement expires December 31, 2024.
H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: a bill to require health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements. Many Parkinson's patients rely on such third-party payments to afford medications to treat and manage their disease symptoms, and this legislation will ensure that all payments whether they come directly out of a pocket or
with the help of copay assistance-counts toward out-of-pocket costs of patients.
The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take.
H.R.4752/S.2379 - the Concentrating High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2023: a bill to better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimers and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, in their earliest stages. Signed Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition letter to members of Congress in support of this legislation.
H.R.4942/S.655 - the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: a bill to reauthorize the Conrad State 30 program for three years, make several targeted policy improvements, and permit the gradual expansion of the number of waivers granted to each state to address health care provider shortages. Signed American Academy of Neurology letter to member of Congress in support of this legislation.
The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy.
Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance.
Signed Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth coalition comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in support prioritizing the needs of patients by expanding policies that improved access to safe and timely health care via telehealth.
Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Mason |
Zeagler |
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Ted |
Thompson |
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Dustin |
Watson |
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Drew |
Hatter |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Lobbying to increase prescription drug affordability and accessibility for people living with Parkinson's via Medicare Part D redesign and benefits, including expanding the low-income subsidy (LIS) program, capping out-of-pocket costs, implementing a smoothing mechanism, and streamlining utilization management processes.
The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy.
Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance.
Signed Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth coalition comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) in support prioritizing the needs of patients by expanding policies that improved access to safe and timely health care via telehealth.
Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program.
H.R.4752/S.2379 - the Concentrating High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act of 2023: a bill to better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimers and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, in their earliest stages. Signed Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition letter to members of Congress in support of this legislation.
S. 3109- Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act- bill to require the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Commissioner of Social Security to review and simplify the processes, procedures, forms, and communications for family caregivers to assist individuals in establishing eligibility for, enrolling in, and maintaining and utilizing coverage and benefits under the Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs respectively, and for other purposes.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Mason |
Zeagler |
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Drew |
Hatter |
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Ted |
Thompson |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
General education on risks of Parkinson's disease, including TCE, paraquat, air pollution, and other chemicals.
Supporting creation of Neuroscience Center of Excellence at FDA.
S.269, the Protect Americas Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA).
General education on triggers of Parkinson's disease, including TCE, paraquat, and other chemicals.
S.806, the Healthy H20 Act.
Development of a legislative proposal to create a Neurodegenerative disease center of excellence program at NIEHS.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Ted |
Thompson |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
FY 2024 Appropriations bills including funding requests for Parkinson's research at:
The Department of Defense within the FY 2024 Defense Appropriation bill (no bill introduced);
The National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill (no bill introduced);
The Food and Drug Administration within the FY 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill (no bill introduced);
The Department of Veterans Affairs within the FY 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation bill (no bill introduced).
Increased funding for NIEHS (no bill introduced).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Veterans Affairs - Dept of (VA), Defense - Dept of (DOD), Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Dustin |
Watson |
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Sallie |
Weart |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code PHA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Lobbying to improve prescription drug affordability and accessibility for people living with Parkinson's via Medicare Part D redesign and benefits, including expanding the low-income subsidy (LIS) program, capping out-of-pocket costs, implementing a smoothing mechanism, and streamlining utilization management processes.
The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: requires Part D plan to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics. Parkinson's causes non-motor symptoms, including depression and psychosis, and individuals often experience different side effects, reactions, and efficacy based on which medications they take. Partnership for Part D Access coalition congressional meetings and signed coalition letter to CMS in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of continued protection for the six protected classes policy.
Signed Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx) coalition comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance.
Signed Alliance for Aging Research coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance in support of proposed beneficiary protections and to provide feedback on implementation considerations for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan program.
H.R.2360/S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: a bill to require group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to help ensure that people living with Parkinson's disease can safely and efficiently access treatments. Led an digital campaign to allow constituents to write their members of Congress in support of this legislation.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Mason |
Zeagler |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code VET
16. Specific lobbying issues
FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to support increased funding for the VA's Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center.
General education regarding the importance of the Department of Defense medical research programs for military service personnel and Veterans living with Parkinson's disease.
Inclusion of Parkinson's disease and PD-related diseases as presumptive conditions when military Veterans are exposed to associated toxins.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Veterans Affairs - Dept of (VA), Defense - Dept of (DOD)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Dustin |
Watson |
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Sallie |
Weart |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocacy for a ban on Trichloroethylene (TCE).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Ted |
Thompson |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
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| 2 | 4 | 6 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
| Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |