The Bold Act for Alzheimer's recognized the growing public health crisis of Alzheimer's and related dementias. By passing this legislation into law, Congress also recognized the need for a Public Health Approach in reaching every community in our nation. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) would be directed to work with State Departments of Public Health to educate the public of the advantages of early diagnosis and developing a care plan to support the patient and caregiving family members. This critical first steps will lead to reduced hospitalizations and better quality of life for patients and caregivers. That will also reduce costs care to Medicare, Medicaid and families. The Alzheimer's Association projects the number of dementia patients will reach 13.8 million by 2050 with an annual cost of close to a Trillion dollars. This future cost can be reduced by funding the Public Health Approach today at the rate of only $20 million per year for the next five years as specified in The BOLD Act.
I urge you to contact your members of Congress and encourage them to include this funding in FY 2020 Budget. The Alzheimer's Association and I thank my Congressman David Scott of Georgia's 13th district for his early support of the Bold Act and its funding. He truly understands the burdens of Alzheimer's patients and families in his district.
Jim Williams
Alzheimer's Association Legislative Ambassador
Smyrna Georgia
