April 2009

Advocate impact: Forum 2009

Last month, over 600 advocates from around the country marched on Capitol Hill to demand that our lawmakers make Alzheimer's a national priority.

During meetings with advocates, members of Congress made the following commitments:

188 indicated support to end the two-year waiting period for Medicare; 181 indicated support for a $250 million increase in Alzheimer research funding; and 83 indicated support the creation of an Alzheimer’s Solutions Project Office. 65 members indicated support for all 3 issues!

You can catch a glimpse of the action at our Forum Web site.

What can I do now?

Ask your members to co-sponsor the End the Medicare Two-year Wait Bill!
People under age 65 with dementia who lose their jobs are likely to lose job-related health insurance. Many become uninsured and uninsurable. Just when they need coverage the most, federal law requires them to wait two years to become eligible for Medicare. Because of this wait, families face soaring out-of-pocket costs for health care or completely forego care.

E-mail your members of Congress now. Ask them to co-sponsor the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S.700 / H.R.1708).

View the list of members who have already co-sponsored the bill.

April advocacy activities

We need your help to continue to push for commitments by members of Congress. Contact your chapter to find out how you get involved locally.

The major focus of this month’s activities is the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S.700 / H.R.1708) – a.k.a. the two-year wait bill.