Alzheimer’s Association Statement - Washington, D.C., July 11, 2013
Recognizing the personal and financial threat of the Alzheimer’s epidemic facing the nation and world, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations voted to provide an additional $104 million in its fiscal year 2014 funding bill for Alzheimer’s research, education, outreach and caregiver support. The Alzheimer’s Association applauds the Committee, under the leadership of Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) who noted the importance of Alzheimer’s in her comments, for recognizing the need to make smart investments today to save both heartbreak and cost in the future, and calls on their fellow Senators to do the same.
“The Committee’s approval was a significant step in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, but now we must call on the Senate for its strong support and passage of the funding bill,” said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “The National Alzheimer’s Plan has an ambitious but critical goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. Success will not be possible unless these types of investments come to fruition in the near future.”
There are currently more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and that number is poised to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050, according the Alzheimer’s Association 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report. In addition to the human toll of the disease, care for Alzheimer’s, the country’s most expensive condition, costs the nation $203 billion annually with projections to reach $1.2 trillion by 2050. Yet for every $27,000 Medicare and Medicaid spend on caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends only $100 on Alzheimer’s research.
The full Committee’s actions today build upon that of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on Tuesday, July 9. Today, both the Subcommittee’s Chair, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Ranking Member, Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), joined Chairwoman Senator Mikulski in emphasizing the importance of acting now to overcome Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association thanks these Senators for their bipartisan leadership on this critical issue.
The Alzheimer’s Association encourages all parties – Senate, House of Representatives and Obama Administration – to do everything possible to ensure passage of the funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and available resources, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org.
