Congress Makes History with Alzheimer's Research Boost

Both Houses of Congress together approved huge 60% increases in America's research to fight Alzheimer's. Learn how the U.S. government is rolling up its sleeves to beat dementia.

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The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an historic 60% increase — approximately $350 million — for Alzheimer's disease research. If passed into law, this would be the largest increase in Alzheimer's funding to date. The bipartisan effort was led by Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Ranking Minority Member Patty Murray (D-WA).

Most exciting, the approval came right alongside approval of the bill in the House of Representatives.  Rep. Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) first proposed this landmark increase.

Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, said, "As we look toward to the announcement of the first Alzheimer's professional judgment budget next month, this surge of bipartisan support marks a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's."

Such massive increases from Congress' Senate as well as its House of Representatives are sure signs that Alzheimer's research has moved to a top slot in our country's agenda. Now it will be up to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to turn these budgetary dollars into treatments and therapies.

The Alzheimer's Accountability Act, which was enacted into law in December as part of the fiscal year 2015 funding bill, creates a formal process to ensure that scientific judgment will guide Congress in future Alzheimer's research funding decisions. Beginning in fiscal year 2017, the NIH will submit a Professional Judgment Budget for Alzheimer's disease research each year until 2025 to achieve annual research milestones established under the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. It will reflect the state of Alzheimer's knowledge and the required investments in research identified by leading scientists to achieve the plan's primary goal to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025.

Currently, Alzheimer's receives $586 million.

SOURCE:

• Alzheimer's Association®
  The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.