Senate Hearing: Finding a Cure for Alzheimer’s by 2025
Legislation | April 12, 2016
On Wednesday, April 6, the Senate Special Committee on Aging convened a hearing on "Finding a Cure: Assessing Progress Toward the Goal of Ending Alzheimer’s by 2025." Committee Chair Sen. Collins (R-ME) kicked off the hearing by reviewing alarming statistics about the disease and its costs, and stated that if the projection that Alzheimer’s will cost the government $1.1 trillion by 2050 is true, then the failure to find a cure will bankrupt this country.
More than 5 million Americans today are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
On Wednesday, April 6, the Senate Special Committee on Aging convened a hearing on "Finding a Cure: Assessing Progress Toward the Goal of Ending Alzheimer’s by 2025." Committee Chair Sen. Collins (R-ME) kicked off the hearing by reviewing alarming statistics about the disease and its costs, and stated that if the projection that Alzheimer’s will cost the government $1.1 trillion by 2050 is true, then the failure to find a cure will bankrupt this country.
Four expert witnesses, including a LeadingAge member, were asked to give testimony on either the state of Alzheimer’s research, or the types of programs used to support those with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers. Here is a quick summary of the testimonies:
- Polly Bradley of Southern Maine Agency on Aging (a LeadingAge member) spoke about the importance of adult day services. These programs provide a place with engaging activities for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, while giving their caregivers a much needed respite. “Family caregivers tell us that their loved ones are happier. They come home from our Centers eager to talk about their day.”
- Ronald Peterson of the Mayo Clinic and the Chair of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease (NAPA) discussed NAPA’s research goals and progress and emphasized the need for more funding. “The disease is not slowing or diminishing, and we need to act aggressively now.”
- David Hyde Pierce, a celebrity highly involved in NAPA, spoke about the need for better metrics to show improvements in care quality and efficiency. “American exceptionalism is not something we are born with, we must earn it. For years we’ve had the potential to solve Alzheimer’s, we just need to seize that potential and prove ourselves.”
- Lisa Baron of Memory Care Home Solutions discussed programs to help family caregivers deal with the physical and emotional burden of Alzheimer’s. “While pushing aggressively forward for a cure, we must get quality, proven interventions to the caregivers of the 5.4 million people currently dealing with this disease.”
After the testimony period, senators had the opportunity to question the experts. The most notable question came from Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) when he asked, “What are the 3 most important things Congress could do to help?” David Hyde Pierce replied, “Fund. Fund. Fund.”
The full transcript of the hearing is available on the Senate’s website.
Overall, the message from the hearing was that Alzheimer’s research and services need much more aggressive funding in order to succeed. Constituents and organizations should continue to remind their representatives about the importance and urgency of supporting the individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families.
If we want to be part of the solution to find the cure Alzheimer’s by 2025, we must speak up and advocate for it passionately and persistently.