ALZHEIMER'S BLOGGING:

Federal Debt-Ceiling Deal and Alzheimer's Disease

As you may have seen in the news, the debt deal reached earlier this month may affect some programs important to individuals with Alzheimer's and their families. While the new law lowers some immediate spending levels, it does not affect Medicare and Medicaid and may not significantly affect funding for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health. The big threats loom in the near future. A new bipartisan "super committee" of 12 lawmakers created by the law, are tasked with cutting the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade, including possible cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. The Alzheimer's Association will continue to represent the needs and rights of the millions of Americans living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer's as this process unfolds in Washington D.C.
Alzheimer's Association Testifies at Congressional Hearings
The Alzheimer's Association recently testified before Congress on behalf of Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligibles). On behalf of the Association, Vice President for Public Policy Robert Egge spoke about issues such as access to care, care coordination, innovation and alignment for people with Alzheimer's using both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the Association's ongoing efforts to provide them and their unpaid caregivers with care and support. During this Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing, Egge had the opportunity to discuss the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act before the committee with Rep. Ed Markey (MA-07), the sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives. You can read our full testimony or watch a video of the entire hearing.
The Alzheimer's Association also recently testified before Congress on global Alzheimer's research efforts and the impact of Alzheimer's disease worldwide. The Association’s Chief Medical and Scientific Officer William Thies outlined the far-reaching impact of Alzheimer's on individuals, families, governments and health care systems throughout the world. He told the committee how the Alzheimer's Association recently called upon the World Health Organization to make Alzheimer's disease and other dementias a priority, and highlighted Alzheimer's Association leadership in international research through the Alzheimer's Association International Grants Program, the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, the World Wide Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, and the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. You can read his full testimony.

TAKE ACTION: Ask your Representative to cosponsor Alzheimer's legislation
The Alzheimer's Association federal legislative priorities continue to gain support in the House of Representatives. The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act currently has 74 cosponsors and the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act currently has 52 cosponsors. Please ask your Representative to support our federal priorities.

Email your member of Congress today.




Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostino.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/