CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS INTRODUCES LEGISLATION
Last Friday, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) reintroduced two bills to address the needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers, the Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act (H.R. 2798) and the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization (H.R. 2800). Each bill is supported by the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America and has 14 original cosponsors, including Reps. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), the bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's disease.
"Over five million people in the United States are suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and most of them are living at home under the care of family and friends," said Congresswoman Waters.
H.R. 2798 authorizes grants to public and non-profit organizations to expand training and support services for families and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Office of Minority Health and the Office of Women's Health, in order to ensure that women, minorities, and medically underserved communities will benefit from the program.
"Caregiving can be extremely stressful. Caregivers face a variety of challenges, ranging from feeding, bathing, and dressing patients to helping them take their medications, managing their finances, and making legal decisions," said Congresswoman Waters. "Expanding access to training and support services will improve the ability of caregivers to provide effective, compassionate care and allow more Alzheimer's patients to remain in their homes with people who love them."
H.R. 2800 helps Alzheimer's patients who wander away from their homes and are unable to tell people in the community who they are or where they live. The bill reauthorizes a Department of Justice program that helps local law enforcement officials quickly identify wandering Alzheimer's patients and reunite them with their families. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a voice vote in 2009 and passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in June of 2010, but it did not make it to the Senate floor prior to the adjournment of the 111th Congress.
"H.R. 2800 is a vital tool for first responders," said Congresswoman Waters. "It saves local law enforcement officials valuable time and allows them to focus on other security concerns, and it brings priceless peace of mind to Alzheimer's patients' families."
Congresswoman Waters has been active on Alzheimer's issues for several years. In addition to her legislative initiatives, she has sought other opportunities to assist Alzheimer's patients and their families.
- Earlier this year, Congresswoman Waters wrote a letter to Congressional appropriators requesting $2 million for the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program in fiscal year 2012. A total of 27 Members of Congress signed the Congresswoman's letter.
- Congresswoman Waters also helped the California Southland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association obtain a $190,000 grant for caregiver education, outreach and public awareness in Los Angeles in fiscal year 2009.
###