Take steps to fight against Alzheimer’s

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of medical research. As Congress addresses the needs of our nation’s most vulnerable impacted by COVID-19, they are also continuing their work to address another devastating disease affecting millions of Americans — Alzheimer’s. Today more than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, including 78,000 in Connecticut.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro can play an important role in addressing this critical issue. By increasing funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health by $354 million and by supporting $20 million to continue implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, there is an opportunity to provide Americans with a sense of hope.

The Senate Appropriations Committee just proposed the same funding levels for NIH of $354 million, and the BOLD Act receiving $20 million. It is now time for both chambers of the Congress to meet and mutually approve this appropriation for Fiscal Year 2021.

Another pending piece of legislation in both chambers is the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act (S.880 / HR 1873). It is designed to increase use of the care planning benefit in order to help more families by educating clinicians on the Alzheimer’s and dementia care planning services available through Medicare.

Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in encouraging Rep. DeLauro to lead the fight to end Alzheimer’s by supporting critical appropriations funding and passage of the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. Thank you.

Michael Tobin Alzheimer’s Ambassador Hamden