Federal Advocacy Action
An estimated 6.2 million people in America are living with Alzheimer’s. We advocate for research, caregiver support, and access to affordable quality health care. Alzheimer’s LA is a proud member of the Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD) Coalition and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act
Representative Maxine Waters (CA), Representative Chris Smith (NJ), Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Senator Susan Collins (ME) reintroduced the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act (H.R. 1474/S. 56). This bipartisan and bicameral bill would help provide training and support services for unpaid family caregiver especially for women, minorities, and other underserved communities.
COVID-19 Related Legislation
Congress has passed a series of bills, some of which include provisions to help family caregivers. Read more.
The House passed the HEROES Act on May 15, 2020, and it is now awaiting action in the Senate. This bill includes a variety of stimulus measures, protections, and assistance. The HEROES Act provides paid and sick leave protections for caregivers of older family members with serious medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Read more from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
Protecting the Affordable Care Act
Benefits of the Affordable Care Act include:
- free annual Medicare wellness visit that includes a cognitive assessment;
- expanding coverage of Medicare prescription drugs to eliminate the “donut hole;”
- health insurance companies cannot refuse coverage based on pre-existing conditions like young-onset dementia.
Attacks on the Affordable Care Act would directly harm Californians by:
- slashing Medicaid funding;
- charging older Californians more;
- eliminating protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
Additional Resources
Justice in Aging, How Older Americans Will Suffer Under Senate Republicans’ Proposal to Cap Medicaid Funding
Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Coalition, Health Reform & Dementia issue brief, read about Medicaid and Dementia and the impact of cuts to Medicaid will impact people living with dementia.
Funding Alzheimer's Research
We are advocating for increased funding for Alzheimer’s research and programs in the federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations bills. Learn more about our priorities.
The FY 2021 budget included several investments and increases in funding for programs related to Alzheimer’s. See the NCOA aging program funding chart for a thorough breakdown of FY 2021 levels.