Neighbor News
The House of Representatives to Vote on Alzheimer's Research
Ask your Congressman to support the $350 million NIH Request
Appropriations Committee chairs Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-17), said staff continue to work out a few of the details but that a floor vote will be scheduled in the House on Tuesday, December 17, ahead of the December 20 deadline when funding of the current continuing resolution (CR) is set to expire. As Congress works toward a final FY2020 appropriations bill.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, there is a new Alzheimer's and related dementias diagnosis every 65 seconds in our country. In the time it takes to read this article there will be three families affected by the disease. This places a perspective and a sense of urgency on investing in research through the National Institutes of Health to first find an effective treatment by 2025 and ultimately find a cure.
The current recommendations for funding in the FY2020 Budget is $350 million with additional funding following during the budget year.
In 2015 Alzheimer's and related dementias was the fifth leading cause of death for Americans 65 and older. The total annual cost of Care for these patients was $215 Billion in 2010 and is expected to soar to $511 Billion
by 2040. In 2010 the rate of diagnosis was one every 72 seconds, today its every 65 seconds. The numbers are staggering and heartbreaking.
Join me and the Alzheimer's Association in asking Congress to support the current budget request of $350 million.
I thank Congressman David Scott for his ongoing support of Alzheimer's research.
Jim Williams
Alzheimer's Association Legislative Ambassador
Smyrna, Georgia
