Alzheimer's Association statement on the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act

The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act offered by Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Christopher Bond (R-Mo.) is a tremendous step in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. There are more than 5 million people living with Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to soar to as many as 16 million by mid-century. This important legislation passed by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) offers promise for someday having a world without Alzheimer's disease.

By calling for a doubling of the funding for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from $640 million to $1.3 billion, this bold legislation authorizes the necessary resources to restore momentum in the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this devastating disease. New treatments that alter the course of the disease could save millions of baby boomers from the disease and yield $61 billion in annual Medicare and Medicaid savings within five years of a breakthrough. The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act is the necessary impetus to create this important outcome.

This legislation will also provide much needed support for the nearly 10 million caregivers right now. Many of these caregivers are part of the "sandwich generation" — those sandwiched between caring for their aging parents and their children and who find the dual-caregiver role financially and emotionally draining. The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act seeks to provide them with vital resources and tools to assist them in this demanding role.

It also calls for a national summit on Alzheimer's to look at promising research breakthroughs and affirms in law a number of programs that are important in fighting this disease and supporting those who are struggling with it.

Alzheimer's disease poses tremendous human, social and economic burdens on the nation as a whole and is a challenge to us all. The Alzheimer's Association applauds Sens. Mikulski and Bond for championing this effort, as well as the members of the Senate HELP Committee on their support of this legislation. It is a significant step forward in the fight against this disease.

The Alzheimer's Association urges its full passage in the U.S. Senate.

Contact:
Toni Williams
Alzheimer's Association
202.638.8666