More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, including 110,000 in Washington. In 2017, caring for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias is projected to cost $259 billion, including $175 billion in direct costs to Medicare and Medicaid.
As the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed, these numbers will increase. Yet, Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health remains underfunded.
As a caregiver of a mother with dementia, I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on families. That’s why I am calling on Congress to increase Alzheimer’s research funding by $414 million in the next fiscal year. This amount is recommended by NIH scientists in their professional judgment budget.
Thankfully, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, is a member of the Appropriations Committee, which decides how much funding will go to the NIH. Only by increasing research funding will we discover new ways to treat and eventually prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
I urge concerned readers to contact Rep. Herrera Beutler and ask her to continue the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
