WASHINGTON, D.C., September 9, 2019 — The Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee proposed a $350 million increase for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the 2020 fiscal year budget. The subcommittee also included $10 million in funding to implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (P.L. 115-406), legislation championed by the Alzheimer’s Association and its advocacy arm, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) in the 115th Congress.
Since the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act — two laws championed by the Alzheimer's Association and its advocacy arm, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) — Congressional leaders have made addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis a priority.
“We are very grateful to Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) for his continued leadership in the fight against this devastating disease,”
said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer and AIM Executive Director. “Alzheimer’s is a triple threat unlike any other disease ― with soaring prevalence, lack of effective treatment and enormous costs. Today’s action is another important step to combat the disease.”
Under Chairman Blunt’s leadership research funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia has increased significantly. If signed into law, total annual funding will reach $2.8 billion. These increases have enabled scientists across the country to explore new areas of research. As a result, researchers are advancing the understanding of the disease, exploring biomarkers, discovering potential ways to reduce risk, and are working to move promising therapeutic candidates and diagnostic tools forward into clinical testing.
“On behalf of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, their 16 million caregivers and the millions more projected to be impacted by this disease in the years to come, we thank Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) for their bipartisan partnership and for recognizing the importance of a steady, reliable, commitment from the government for medical research funding to address Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” continued Egge.
In December 2018, Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. The law directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen the public health infrastructure across the country by implementing effective Alzheimer's interventions focused on public health issues such as increasing early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk, and preventing avoidable hospitalizations. It establishes Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Public Health Centers of Excellence, providing funding to state, local, and tribal public health departments, and increasing data analysis and timely reporting.
The Senate subcommittee will vote on the bill on Tuesday and the full Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to pass the spending bill Thursday. The Senate and House are expected to conference on the final spending bill in the coming months. The Alzheimer’s Association, AIM and its advocates will continue to work with Congressional leaders to ensure the highest possible funding increase for research and for implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org.
Alzheimer's Impact Movement
The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) is the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer’s Association. AIM works to develop and advance policies to overcome Alzheimer’s disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. For more information, visit alzimpact.org.