Governor Walz Signs $25M Bill For ALS Research, Caregiver Support

MINNESOTA — Governor Tim Walz announced Wednesday that he had sign a bill that invests $25 million for ALS research and support programs for caregivers.

Those who also signed the bill included Senator David Tomassoni and family, a bipartisan group of legislators, and ALS research advocates, Walz said.

“Today our state is making real progress in the fight against ALS,” Walz said. “I’m proud to join Senator David Tomassoni, a bipartisan group of legislators, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to pass this bill for Minnesotans living with ALS and their caregivers. By investing in ALS research and caregiver support, we are moving together toward finding a cure for this disease and better caring for Minnesotans living with ALS and their families.”

$20 million will go to research and the remaining $5 million will go to support programs, he said.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive loss of motor function. The disease is 100 percent fatal and there is no cure.

According to Walz, at any given time there is an average of 450 Minnesotans living with ALS.